Hydroponic Tomatoes In Japan!!

If you're wondering when this agriculture tour of Japan is going to end, then just hang on for a little while longer! On the other hand it shouldn't surprise you that we have such an interest in it because of our farming background! Hang on while we take a look at how hydroponic tomatoes are grown in Japan! Well, here's a sneak peek!

Hydroponically grown tomatoes are grown without soil inside a sterilized greenhouse. I know many are grown something like this in the states. But, I have never seen them first hand! So this was a real
treat AND yes the picture below is one giant tomato plant!!



All the plants are started from seed in a nutrient based water. The actual seed is carefully placed inside a small sponge as it germinates. The next picture is of the root system of each giant tomato plant. Each plant is less than a year old. They grow quickly and produce tons of fruit!

The plant is supported from the top where there is a trellis system in place. It is tall enough to walk underneath to do all the plant maintenance. There is no ground work here! The farmer continuously grows replacement plants. The greenhouse supports several varieties of tomato plants throughout the year. He has to keep a very good look out for disease and deal with it quickly so it doesn't spread to the rest of the plants that are in such close proximity. I must say that this greenhouse is definitely the cleanest that I've ever been in. It is also the first one that I had to take my
shoes off in!! The floor is covered with plastic as one more prevention to disease.

We've been to this farm twice. The first time we went the farmer was not completely prepared for all of our questions. Our friend had a little trouble translating as well. However, when we visited a second time both knew exactly what to say! The farm family was so surprised that foreigners took such an interest in their lively hood

So, there we were interrupting their work day. But, they were so hospitable and had a blast showing us around. This family as well as all the farms we have visited loaded us down with gifts of their crops and wouldn't let us pay them for any of it! Japanese have a thing or two to teach Americans about hospitality!!

NEXT UP....STRAWBERRIES!