Tomato noob questions.

purpz

Well-Known Member
Hey peeps, Just picked up a few tomatoes today and getting ready for this season early. I plan on starting it indoors up until may-june, then they will go into direct soil outdoors.

My 1st question, is 24/7 light under florescent lights be alright? i've heard a lot of mixed reviews on that subject.

second question, what ph do they prefer?
 

Atomizer

Well-Known Member
I use 18/6 for light and a PH 6-6.3, florescents are ok if you keep them close. If you are putting them in soil theres no need to worry about the ph.
 

SirLancelot

Active Member
just a side note on minimum lighting

I started tomatoes a month ago (or so) and I keep them under my t5's normally for 18hr, This year I decided to put 2 in the flower tent. Man what a difference, I wouldn't recommend going below 16hrs.
 

polyarcturus

Well-Known Member
glad to know the 24 hour thing i had wondered as i started quite the garden and had a few plant in with my other plants and i was worried it would take up flowering space. what about hot peppers and cucumbers?
 

Atomizer

Well-Known Member
K, that helps no one. Nor 24/0 or 18/4 is not shown. Who does 24/24?
Think of it like this 24/7 is the hare, 18/6 is the tortoise, you know how that one turned out. If you grow toms try a side by side for a month.
24/24 could be slightly more common than 18/4 ;)

toms.JPG
 

SirLancelot

Active Member
So from what I hear from someone who grew tomatoes under 24hrs light is that it grew ok but formed many lessions on the leaves and fruit...

also someone else was telling me that They will survive under 24 but to remember a tomato is a night shade plant. It will store energy reserves from the daylight and grow in the dark hours so tomato plants need a few hours of rest. IDK how scientifically accurate that is but makes sense to me. Have you ever thought to yourself holy shit! that plant grew over night. every living thing needs sleep to be healthy well except for viruses, bacteria, and other microscopic organisms.
 

Hilltop112

Well-Known Member
mine are under 24/7 for a about a month and a half and look better than the ones we just got at work from a greenhouse. that have been growers for longer than mine
 

Jimmyjonestoo

Well-Known Member
Ive been starting my veggies indoors for years, I've done both 24/7 and 18/6 and I agree that the ones that get a little "sleep" usually do better. Although there are alot of variables. Food, temperature, fresh /stale air. Somebody could grow better tomatoes under 24/7 than somebody under 18/6 if the 18/6 has shitty conditions, isn't feeding, ect.
 
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