Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Here's my take... it simple... and keep it that way...

Excessive "nitrogen"... and associated growth/inhibition.... is usually due to excessive and/or repeatitive fertilisation.... of high nirogen fertilisers... either in soil, or hydroponics....

Neither is a "normal" situation... and left to it's own "natural" processes... the plant will take up what is required.... unless there's a general deficiency... in which case the plant wont be grown anyway...

In AP... there are usually other plants taking up not only the nitrogen, but other elements...

Tomatoes will take up what they require for optimal growth... in the soluble "nitrate" form....

And most systems supply all that is required... no more, no less...

Most commercial hydroponic tomato operations that I've seen.... prune all branches below the truss set.... partly for "supposed" stimulation of additional growth and truss set...

But also.... and this has similar ramifications in AP... especially in greenhouse systems.... to allow good air flow.... in otherwise high humidity situations...


In general... addition of Potassium as a supplement... benefits/stimulates flower/fruit set... and in later stages seed set...

Just sow tomatoes directly.... add some Potassium when the flowers first appear... pollinate with a toothbrush, vibrating wand, air movement by fans etc...prune below the truss set, when the fruits first appear... and enjoy...

these were direct sown "Money Maker"... a determinate variety... grew and yilelded just great... with minimal stress and bullshit...

And yes... they were grown alongside other nitrogen loving plants...

+1

Nice one: Rupe!! Sorry for sounding ignorant, what exactly do you mean when you say "prune below truss set" ?

Just in brief...

No, no... sorry - that's simply not the case.
Please do yourself a favor - and don't go down that road if you haven't got enough local knowledge. You'll just end up loosing your way there. You can't compare the diet of a homo sapiens with the complexity of plant osmosis either. Plants basically take up what they need from their environment (from the atmosphere as well) - depending on specific needs, the climate, their growing rate and stage, - and not exactly what you feed excessively. Uptake is hormonally controlled by the plants very complex physiology and there is no trespass at this end of the equation. Furthermore, for most plants the preference always goes for nitrogen, - which is the actual issue with tomatoes. That part can only be solved in reducing nitrogen by some way or the other. As I said earlier, you can very well provide supplements of elements in case of deficiency. You can also stimulate flowering and fruiting to some extend. But you can't influence or manipulate much beyond that - and certainly not control growth and stages the way you imagine or wish.

This is the problem with my toms! Any ideas why?

Hi knowmore,


What about your temperatures (day/night). in °C if possible?
I've had similar problems during monsoon season with too high night temperatures.
We have had a very hot monsoon season in Northern Thailand, due to little rainfalls btw.

What about the general aspect and grow rate of the plants?
Are they rather stagnating in growth as well?
Is it a local and/or heat resistant variety, or some other?

These are general indications, unfortunately I can't say anything related directly to AP, due to a lack of experience!

Cheers,
Luches

Lucas,
Temps: 33/18 D/N in C - Well within the range mentioned on the pack.
No complaints on the growth - see the pic. The plants are about 3 months old and about 4 ft in height (just over a meter)
Variety: It is a commercial hybrid.
KM

They don't look that bad, actually quite healthy. But still a bit pale and the stems aren't looking as if they'd be able to carry high yield either.
No nitrogen excess, though - because the color isn't very dark green. Potassium deficiency, not exactly either.

33° C (especially if permanent from start until flowering) is still kinda hot for any kind of tomatoes. Not exactly ideal and may be part of the deal. But then again, 3 months is too long in that climate to start flowering (and not setting fruits). Looks to me if they haven't got enough nutrients to fully develop their potential and set fruits. Because flowering may be delayed - but starts at some moment in time, no matter if the plants are well enough developed and up to the task.
I suppose they'll simply set fruits in their second attempt - when they grow stronger.

What to do in the meanwhile? About that, you better ask one of the AP experts.
Cheers,
Lucas

Your flowers may not be getting pollinated.

Well, you can never completely role out that they may not self-pollinate properly.
But outdoors and in tropical climate with high insect activity it's pretty unlikely.
You can always shake the plants gently in the daytime (sunny) to be sure, as it doesn't do any harm.

What about air humidity, KM? If you have got very low air humidity or even " hot drying winds" it may
be the cause for the blossom drop as well. Such conditions may indeed prevent fruit setting. Also, you mustn't always take for granted what the seed pack says or claims

Last but not least: even if your plants look healthy you can never completely role out any bacterial or fungal infection. Unlikely in your case, I'd add though.

Good Luck!

Don't ya just love these forums?
Someone in Thailand giving advice to someone in India on an Australian Forum while Yanks and Brits watch on!!
I think it is just great, pity we all couldn't do the same with other issues, isn't it?

Cheers IanK

Night time temps, too hot/cold for a particular varity is the most common cause of blossom drop.
http://gardening.about.com/od/problemsp ... omDrop.htm

Which is why I love this place!

You know what? I like this place too
And I've pretty much seen it all in some 10 years of international forum activity.
I won't reveal any details about my bad experiences and impressions, but the location really seems to matter. Let me just say this: the most amazing are probably the Brazilian Pepper people. Even if you post a picture of the most shabby, totally numb, nearly death pepper plant - you'll still get 10 replies full of admiration and congratulations in the hour