Hey guys. My GF loves my hydro set up, and has been struggling with her tomatoes outdoors. With winter coming on, she'd like to try a hydro set up with indoor lighting. I was curious if CFL's would be fine for one plant? Light cycles? Are they as important as with MJ, or do they not need total hours of darkness? Nutrient levels be about the same? Gonna start building her a bubble bucket soon for her, just want to try and help her be successful. So any tips/guidelines would be great. Basically looking for the differences between MJ and tomatoes. I've heard that they don't care much about light cycle as much, so putting some lights on them during the day, then turning them off and not being in a totally dark room won't matter.
the light cycle doesnt matter as strictly as with MJ but I find that 18+ hrs a day is great for vegging and around 14-16 when producing fruit. CFLs will be fine but def get at least 100 actual watts of light on it. They grow fast and a couple small CFLs will be a joke. also, be careful bringing insects into the room from outside before frost. I ended up bring spider mites in on my hands/clothes. Tough to beat em once they are moved in.
So does that mean that it doesn't need 100% darkness period? Say it was in the dining room with lights on it, then at night they'd be shut off/normal house darkness? I've heard tomatoes aren't as picky.
shouldnt bother it very much at all man. most plants arent as picky as weed, tomatoes are def amung that group.
Thanks miles. Tomatoes shall be hydro grown soon I really wantto start a whole room now with MJ, tomatoes, potatoes, etc.... Love hydro so does the GF! All of a sudden I want a really nice garden of veggies!