Garden Diary 2009: Hydroponic Aquaponic Wick Tomato Plants

I decided to turn the tomatoes I started into hydroponic tomatoes. I was able to slide the root system out of the pot. I cut a strip of an old towel and fed part of it into the drain hole of the pot and ran it up the inside of it. I put the root system back in the pot making sure the end of the towel stuck out just above the dirt.

I cut a hole in the top of the storage container and fed the other end of the towel through the hole. I made sure there was plenty of towel to reach the bottom of the container. I filled the container with water and liquid feed miracle grow. I believe the container is 18-20 gallons. I am hoping the water will last most of the season. I think If I have to fill it again half way through the season, it will cause some sort of root rot. We will see.

I placed the top in place with the towel soaking in the water in the container. The tomatoes in their pot sat flush over the hole. The roots will grow through the holes and along the towel to the water. I should have some really nice tomato plants in the next few weeks.

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