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solid7_gw

Hydro Nutrients for Tomatoes - When to Replace Completely?

solid7
10 years ago

I have a tomato that's been growing in a 5 gallon bubble bucket for a little less than 4 weeks. I've not grown tomatoes before hydroponically. So, I'm a little shocked to see how much nutrient this thing is devouring.

I am literally adding a gallon of water every 1-2 days. The plant growth is very healthy, a few bugs, (leaf miner, whitefly) but noting serious, no diseases. I am growing this outside on my screened porch, as the temps are mild enough to get away with it. (and no need for artificial light) The root mass is approximately 1/2 of the bucket, at this point, and I am mixing the nutrients into shallow pumped well water.

So, my question is quite simply this: In my ebb and flow systems, I would normally change the nutrient solution every 1-2 weeks. But since I'm having to add so much nutrient solution, do I really need to change out the nutrients at all? Should I just keep topping it off for the life of the plant?

Thank you.

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