I use sunflowers for removing toxic heavy metals from soil and for soil conditioning. Best in the ground, I say. They'll get large in a hydro bucket BUT you need to add silica or they'll have weak stems that can't support such a huge flower head.ph should be around 5.0 - 5.5 for tomatoes I think, they like the acidity. the rest is up to you. I got a 5gal DWC in my backyard myself.. not a big fan of tomatoes though, so I'm seein how big I can get sunflowers
... How long does it take a sunflower to mature? and whats silica?
Silica is a major component in cell wall structure in plants. Without silica the plant is relying upon water pressure to stay stiff instead of having a naturally strong silica-reinforced set of tissues to support the plant.
Sunflowers take about 3 months to mature, depending upon variety and amount of light.
You had cops show up at your house because of a hydro tomato plant outside? That is odd, I had no idea growing tomatoes hydroponically would make for police attention. Read the thread before posting man.......I reccomend that you not have an indoor garden if you have hydro outside where others can see. I once had an outdoor hydro and it brought unwanted attention,,,,,,,,With badges and dogs.
Perfect.Thanks for the info! so something like silica blast from Botanicare would be a good idea?
Last I checked its perfectly legal to do hydro and as long as their K-9 doesn't eat the plants or shit in your yard you should be all set. Explain to a cop that hydroponics have been in use since the Roman aqueducts and can be used to grow many plants and that most lettuce is grown hydro now.
You had cops show up at your house because of a hydro tomato plant outside? That is odd, I had no idea growing tomatoes hydroponically would make for police attention. Read the thread before posting man.......