I transplanted my 3-inch Coral grape tomatoes into 4 Kratky buckets that are strung together by a 1/2 poly tube to a 5-gallon reservoir with a float valve to control the level to about 1/2 a bucket. The buckets have their own shut off valve to start the plants off. I will open the reservoir valve when they bring the solution level down halfway.
I am doing something different this year. Last year I used coco coir to fill the cover basket, and my plants didn't' do so well. This year I will drop them straight from the seed tray into the basket and hold the plant in the middle while I fill the sides up with clay pebbles, so the small cube of potting mix from the seed tray is touching the bottom and submerged 1/4 inches into the fertilizer solution. I think the clay pebbles will allow the heat to find a way out of the buckets. I need to buy some aluminum bubble wrap for insulation tomorrow.
I am also doing an experiment on my cloned Tycoon tomato. I am using Alaskan fish fertilizer to fill the reservoir and will alternate with plain water whenever it needs to be filled. The plant turned dark green and started growing after being transplanted, so it's liking the fish fertilizer.
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