First Experience (Outdoors)
The first time I grew cherry tomatoes was in 2020 during the pandemic on the balcony of my condo unit in Metro Manila, Philippines. After killing a thyme plant from a grow kit, I did some research on other ways to grow plants and one of the things that came up was hydroponics. Looking back, I probably killed many of my plants due to overwatering. I ordered my first hydroponics kit online. The kit contained a small container with six holes on the lid, net cups, sponges, an air stone, and an oxygen pump. The "quiet" pump was really loud so I decided to order a USB air pump and I've been using the same thing since.
Eventually, the tomatoes grew too big for the container. I remember having several trips to the hardware store just to find a suitable container only to end up getting a semi-transparent one. Big mistake! I had algae issues and I had to wrap the containers up with aluminium foil. It wasn't the internet's fault, I ignored its warning of using transparent containers but I guess I just had to learn through experience. My thought was that if I used transparent containers, it would be easier for me to see the water level.
When I harvested the tomatoes, I was amazed of how good they looked. I compared them with what we had in the grocery stores. They also tasted a lot better. It was then that I knew it wouldn't be the last time I'll be growing crops.
Second Experience (Indoors)
Winter 2025 in Graz, Austria. I decided to try and grow cherry tomatoes again. For some reason, I didn't like the tomatoes here as much as the ones back in the Philippines. One day, we picked a different variety and it was so good, I decided to collect the seeds and grow them.
I received an IKEA computer desk from someone because they had no use for it anymore. I attached some LED lamps to the underside of the desk and placed my plants below it.
The plants grew so fast and it was still Winter so I had to find a spot where the plants could crawl and the underside of a desk just wouldn't work anymore. I live in an apartment with high ceilings and my office had an "upstairs" area with a fence. I placed the net and the plants there. A few weeks later..
Status as of May 2025
It is now Spring. I've cut off some stems and put them in water to grow some roots. My plan is to put them outside on the balcony where they could get more heat and sunlight once they are ready. I would still keep the ones I have indoors.
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