Easy Indoor Tomato Growing Guide

Easy Indoor Tomato Growing Guide

Imagine walking into your kitchen and picking fresh orange hat tomatoes to make a delicious salad within minutes. Growing these little bright tomatoes indoors is not only possible but also easy! With hydroponic countertop systems like the AeroGarden, you can create the ideal environment to grow plants year-round right in your kitchen.

The Orange Hat tomato plant is one of the perfect tomato plants to grow indoors. This tomato plant only grows up to 8 inches tall and has a slightly sweet and mild taste. From seed to first harvest, it takes 65-80 days to grow. Follow the steps below to see how the Orange Hat tomato plant grows in a countertop system.

Nutrients

To ensure the optimal growth of your Micro Orange Hat tomato plant, add nutrients every two weeks and change the water every four weeks to avoid an imbalanced nutrient solution. Tomato plants thrive in a higher nutrient-rich water, with a pH range of 5.0-6.5, an EC range of 2.0-5.0, and a PPM range of 1400-3500. During the seedling and early growth phases, add nutrients to the lower end of the EC and PPM. As the plant progresses to the flowering, fruiting, and harvesting phases, increase the nutrients to the higher end of the range. Additionally, make sure to include calcium magnesium in the nutrient solution to facilitate the growth and production of tomatoes.

Germination phase (week 1)

The first step to growing your own Micro Orange Hat tomato plant is the germination phase. Begin by planting a couple of seeds in a growing sponge and placing the grow basket in your countertop hydroponic system. Cover the sponge with aluminum foil, making a hole in the center about the size of a Sharpy pen. Add the appropriate nutrients, either AeroGarden’s nutrients or General Hydroponics or Fox Farm. Hydroponic systems provide ideal conditions for seeds to sprout, with sprouts typically appearing within 2-5 days instead of the typical 7-14 days outdoors. If your seeds do not sprout after 14 days, try planting again.

Seedling phase (weeks 2-3)

During the seedling phase, your tomato plant will start to grow its first true leaves and will become more established in the hydroponic system. This is also the time to thin out any weaker seedlings if you planted more than one seed. It's important to give your tomato plant enough space to grow and develop a strong root system, and having multiple plants in one container can lead to overcrowding and competition for nutrients.

In addition, you should continue to monitor and adjust the nutrient levels in your hydroponic system. During the seedling phase, it's best to keep the nutrient solution at the lower end of the EC and PPM range, as the plant is still developing and doesn't require as much nutrition as it will during the later stages of growth. Keep the pH level between 5.0-6.5 to ensure that the nutrients are properly absorbed by the plant.

Early growth phase (weeks 4-6)

The Orange Hat tomato plant is growing, and it's time for a system flush. The plant is small enough to take the tray off the hydroponic system without injuring the plant. Remove water and give the reservoir a quick clean. Refill with clean water and add the nutrients.

Flowering Phase (weeks 7-8)

Seeing the first flower brings so much joy! Remember to bump up the nutrients and add CalMag to provide the right nutrients for your tomato plant to produce tomatoes. Without the help of bees, you’ll have to pollinate the flowers yourself, which is not as hard as it might sound. You can use a kid's electric toothbrush and gently vibrate the stem of the flower with the back of the toothbrush. Do this daily, and when you see yellow dust fall from the flower, it’s pollinated. Another way to pollinate the flowers is with a Q-tip, gently brushing in a circular motion inside the flower. The tomato plant flowers are fragile, so take care when pollinating the flowers and have a gentle touch.

Fruiting Phase (weeks 9-10)

It's time for another system flush, but removing the top tray may damage the plant. To avoid damaging the plant, use a turkey baster to remove all the water. After the reservoir is empty, refill it with fresh water and add nutrients and CalMag.

Typically, the first ripe tomato on a Micro Orange Hat plant can be expected to appear within 65-80 days of planting. In my experience, the first ripe tomato appeared on the 78th day after planting. Once the tomatoes have ripened, the most enjoyable part of the growing process begins - harvesting and consuming them! These small orange hat tomatoes can be used to add a burst of flavor and color to salads, pasta dishes, and other culinary creations.

Companion plants

Mini Sweet Peppers & Jalapenos

Nutrient & PH

• PPM range of 1400-3500
• pH range of 5.0-6.5

In conclusion, the Micro Orange Hat tomato plant is a fantastic addition to any countertop hydroponic system. With just a little bit of effort, this small plant can produce an impressive harvest of bright and flavorful orange tomatoes. I hope this article has provided you with valuable insights and inspiration to grow your very own Micro Orange Hat tomato plant. Get ready to enjoy the satisfaction of picking and eating your own fresh tomatoes straight from your kitchen!