Cherry Tomato Problems

[joe645]

In 2018 and into 2019, I had started some cherry tomato plants and had some very good harvests. They grew to over 30" high. I had read that the PPM should be anywhere from 1200 to 2400. I kept the PH at about 6.0. This worked fine until I got hit with aphids which almost killed off the plants. In Oct. 2020., I started a new batch in my Aero Harvest. Once the plants developed good roots and were some 7" high, I transplanted to my larger tote gardens. No problem until the leaves started to turn brown. Got advice here to cut down the PPM to around 500. Plants actually stopped growing but developed fruit (although small). One plant looks like its about dead but fruit is turning red. In the meantime, I started 6 more plants. These grew in the Areo much different than the last batch. More dense with multiple shoots. After good root system, I also transplanted these to the larger gardens. They have grown to about 6" in height but seem to have also stopped growing. They did develop flowers and have fruited but now seem to have started to go the same way the others did. I almost think that the PPM is too low for these plants but I don't want to burn them out either.

[Sher]

joe645, The highest I ever get my cherry tomatoes is 1100. I keep them at less than half of that until fruiting is well underway. Then I gradually work the ppm up.

Mine start fruiting when they are very short. As I prune away the branches that have fruited, the ones that are blocking light and the ones that are growing out of the light, the branches get stouter and they increase in height.

I usually just leave the AG heirloom cherry tomatoes in the Harvest. Once in a while I will have to prune the tops if they get too tall.

My guess is that your PPM is too high instead of too low.

As always, just my opinion based on my personal experiences.

[joe645]

If I leave my tomato plants in my Harvest too long, the roots get so intertwined that it is difficult to get them out. As for my PPM in both tanks I measure 550ppm.

[Sher]

Your ppm is definitely not too high at 500, then.

What kind of lights do you have them under in your other system? Is your tote system DWC or Kratky? Do you periodically dump your totes and fill with fresh nutrients?

I would need to see a couple of photos of the plants that aren't doing well to begin to figure out what is wrong with them.

[joe645]

I use 27 gal totes with 2" net cups and a manifold spray system that wets the cups for 5-10 minutes every 2 hours. This system also provides the O2 for the plants. I use white, blue and red T5 tubes (24" 4-tube reflectors) over each tote.

[joe645]

this is a pix of my 2019 Crop.

[Sher]

joe645 , you have some major nutrient deficiencies and/or toxicities going on.

It is beyond the scope of an Aerogarden forum to deal with such extensive non-Aerogarden nutrient problems. You need to talk to people who specialize in other hydroponics systems.

This forum does allow discussion of other hydroponics systems as a casual addition to our Aerogardens.

But we do not have the expertise to even begin to deal with advanced hydroponic problems and solutions.

[airscapes]

Joe have you looked over all the different diseases that can affect tomatoes.. just because it is inside and hydroponic does not mean you could not still have issues.  Seed can actually be infected.. 
Just did a google.. there is lots of info out there.. savvygardening.com/tomato-plant-disease/

[joe645]

Hydroponic Gardens such as Aero Harvest and others use the same method of growing as I do with my totes. I have based the system on my Aero Garden Harvest as to watering time and light exposure. I just do it on a larger scale and have been successful in the past. When I started these projects a few years ago, I had no problems growing lettuce, peppers, cherry tomatoes and even onions. My tomato seeds come from Aero Garden as kits and then transplanted to larger gardens. It is true that Aero product are not always 100% and I have them replace a few pods in the past but I am beginning to think I have being over-sensitive about nutrients and PH. In the past, I let nature do its thing also. Thanks for our suggestions.

[scotthz]

Hi Joe,

The tomatoes look kind of "leggy" - like they haven't been pruned.

I'd like to find some videos of pruning tomatoes, the pics in the FAQ are lacking.

Good growing,

Scott

[Shawn]

Apr 8, 2021 17:51:32 GMT -5 scotthz said:

Hi Joe,

The tomatoes look kind of "leggy" - like they haven't been pruned.

I'd like to find some videos of pruning tomatoes, the pics in the FAQ are lacking.

Good growing,

Scott

Check this post, there are light seekers and chubby baby.  the leggy are light seekers and should be pruned.  But some people leave them.  Personal preference