HS927

Keys to Successful Tomato and Cucumber Production in

Perlite Media1
George J. Hochmuth and Robert C. Hochmuth2

Introduction
Tomato and cucumber are popular and important crops
for greenhouse production in Florida. Profitability from
production of tomato and cucumber requires attention
to the many details of crop culture. The major keys to
successful greenhouse production of tomato and cucumber
are presented in this publication. This guide is directed
at the small to medium-sized grower with one to several
houses, but much of the information is also useful for
larger operations. The information in this guide focuses
on tomato (Figure 1 and Figure 2) and cucumber (Figure
3 and Figure 4), but also applies to other crops grown in
soilless media, including pepper, eggplant, melons, lettuce, Figure 1. Greenhouse-grown cluster tomatoes ready for harvest.
and cut-flowers (Figure 5, Figure 6, and Figure 7). Although
this guide focuses on perlite media in lay-flat bags, most of
the principles also pertain to other soilless media, such as
rockwool slabs and peat-mix bags (Figure 8). In addition,
many of these principles apply to using perlite, pine bark,
or similar media in containers, such as nursery containers.
More details on each subject, including suppliers, irrigation,
greenhouse management, marketing, etc., are available
from the Florida Greenhouse Vegetable Production Hand-
book chapter guides found at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu, and at
http://smallfarms.ifas.ufl.edu.

Figure 2. Greenhouse beefsteak tomatoes packed for shipment to

market.

1. This document is HS927, one of a series of the Horticultural Sciences Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date January 1996. Revised
January 2003. Reviewed March 2016. Visit the EDIS website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2. George J. Hochmuth, retired professor emeritus, Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition in the Soil and Water Science Department; and Robert C. Hochmuth,
regional specialized Extension agent, Suwannee Valley Agricultural Extension Center; UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to
individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national
origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other UF/IFAS Extension publications, contact your county’s UF/IFAS Extension office.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, UF/IFAS Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A & M University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County
Commissioners Cooperating. Nick T. Place, dean for UF/IFAS Extension.
 Figure 6. Freshly harvested yellow pepper.

Figure 3. European cucumbers ready for harvest.

Figure 7. Zinnias for cut-flowers.

Figure 4. Freshly harvested and shrink-wrapped cucumbers.

Figure 8. Various types of growing media.

Perlite
What is it? Perlite is a mined mineral that is crushed, then
expanded under high temperature. The crushed material
expands like popcorn, is cooled, and sieved into various
Figure 5. Butterhead lettuce growing in perlite-filled trays.
grades based on particle size. Perlite is white in color, very
light weight, and has high water holding capacity and high
aeration properties (Figure 8).

Keys to Successful Tomato and Cucumber Production in Perlite Media 2

Sources. Perlite is locally available in Florida (please see
a list of greenhouse suppliers at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/
hs255). Price and sales support might vary among perlite
suppliers. There are negligible differences in grades of
perlite as far as crop performance is concerned. Most crops
grow equally well in coarse or medium size horticultural
grade perlite.

Availability. Perlite can be purchased ready to use in

pre-made, lay flat bags, approximately three feet long, six
to eight inches wide, and four inches tall (Figure 9). Perlite
also can be purchased in bulk pallet bags or in medium-
sized bags of about four cubic feet. Growers can then
purchase rolls of polyethylene sleeving material from green- Figure 10. Inclined concrete leachate troughs on which growing bags
house supply companies and make up their own growing are placed.
bags. The sleeving material should be black-on-white with
black on the inside to minimize light penetration inside the Drainage. Small slits should be made in the near bottom of
bag. the bags so that excess water will not build up and drown
roots. A large reservoir of water in the bag is not required
Media Re-use. Re-use of unsterilized perlite is risky. Cost so slits can be positioned to provide nearly complete drain-
in re-use (handling, sterilization, rewrapping) is significant. age. A large reservoir maintained in the bag only reduces
High levels of organic matter in re-used media might affect the volume of aerated root zone, which plants need to grow
the irrigation scheduling program early in second crop optimally.
season. Re-used media holds more water because of organic
matter (old roots). Old root material might harbor disease Transplanting. Transplants for the perlite system can be
organisms from previous crops. produced in several media types including rockwool, per-
lite, or vermiculite (Figure 11). The large rockwool growing
Bag Positioning. In double-row systems, bags are placed blocks are not needed in Florida. Care should be taken to
on a very slight incline toward leachate collection trough completely bury the root media ball of the transplant so
(Figure 9 and Figure 10). An alternative system uses a single that the perlite media in the bag does not wick the moisture
bag from which plants are positioned toward two overhead from the transplant ball. This is why rockwool growing
trellis wires so two rows of plants are created. In the single- blocks should not be placed on the surface of the perlite
bag system, care should be taken to provide adequate media media. Irrigation emitters must immediately be placed in
volume per plant. Both systems have been successfully used position and directed to wet the perlite nearest the root ball
in Florida. Once bags have been placed in the greenhouse, of the transplant. Later on, in a few weeks, the emitter can
the perlite media should be thoroughly wetted by allowing be moved back a few inches from the transplants.
the irrigation system to apply plain water. Once wetted, the
drainage slits can be made in the bags.

Figure 11. Rockwool seedling cubes with seedlings.

Figure 9. Lay-flat bags of perlite, newly planted with tomato.

Keys to Successful Tomato and Cucumber Production in Perlite Media 3

Cucumbers can be transplanted into growing bags, designed for tomatoes in rockwool. The irrigation se-
however, cucumbers also can be seeded directly into the quences (number and length) can be controlled by a timer
perlite bags. The germination percentage of cucumber seeds set to operate the irrigation system a set number of times
is good enough that direct-seeding can result in near 100% during the day for a predetermined length of time. As long
stands. Direct-seeding saves considerably on transplant as enough water and nutrients can be supplied to the crop,
production costs and the challenges associated with pro- you will be successful in production. The problem with
duction of high quality transplants. Growers might wish to control by timer is that plants will get water and nutrients
start about 5% of their cucumber crop in transplants so that whether they need the water or nutrients or not.
direct-seeded plants that fail to emerge and develop can be
replaced with a growing transplant. Perlite-grown plants can be irrigated by a starter-tray set-up
like rockwool (Figure 13). We have had good success using
the start-tray and similar management schemes to those
Irrigation Program for rockwool. Several (40 to 50) small slits are made in the
Water Quality. Obtain an analysis of your well water for bottom of a perlite bag and the bag formed into the start
bicarbonates, pH, iron, sulfur, calcium, and magnesium. tray. For more information on irrigation, consult the list of
Water analysis helps determine problems to be anticipated references at the end of this guide.
from emitter clogging (fertilizer precipitation and lime
deposits, and bacterial slimes). Plants can use the calcium;
knowledge of calcium concentrations can help with
fertilizer program. Sometimes, we might want to reduce
the amount of calcium nitrate (Ca) if Ca is high in water.
Plant leaf analysis should be used to monitor the fertilizer
program or to diagnose nutrient deficiencies. For tomatoes,
sample the most-recently-matured leaf (about the sixth
leaf back from the tip). Sample the whole leaf including the
petiole that attaches it to the main stem (just as if removing
a leaf for the leaning and lowering process). Try sap analysis
for nitrogen and potassium (Figure 12). Sap squeezed from
the petiole of the most-recently-matured leaf should read
600 to 1000 ppm nitrate-nitrogen. Ask your local UF/IFAS Figure 13. Start-tray and probe controlling off/on cycling of irrigation
Extension agent for help if you are interested in sap testing. systems.
More information on petiole sap testing can be found in The approach to fertilizer and water management, with
Circular 1144 from UF/IFAS Extension or on-line at http:// either timer or start-tray, is to apply enough water and
edis.ifas.ufl.edu/cv004. enough nutrients at the correct time of crop requirement.
Usually we start early in the season with nutrient solutions
low (60 to 80 ppm) in N concentrations. Frequent, short
irrigations will supply enough total nutrients to the crop. If
a timer is used and irrigations are infrequent (once or twice
per day), then a more concentrated (100 ppm) nutrient
solution might be needed.

Fully grown tomato plants may use two to three pints of

water per day in the winter (including that for leaching)
and three to five pints on warm spring days.

The key to watering frequency is to balance the amount

needed by the crop with the total needed for crop and leach.
Figure 12. Plant petiole sap-testing kits for measuring nitrogen status
A general rule-of-thumb is to leach about 10 to 15% at each
of plants. irrigation event for tomato. Leaching rate for cucumber
might need to be 20%. Leaching is needed to minimize salt
Watering. Irrigation programs for tomatoes growing in buildup in the media and to assure all bags are fully wetted
perlite can be controlled by the same equipment originally with each irrigation.

Keys to Successful Tomato and Cucumber Production in Perlite Media 4

What about media salt content? High concentrations of as it is delivered for several emitters about the house and
salts in the perlite media can damage plant roots and upset check for uniformity. They should be within 10 to 15% of
nutrient and water uptake by roots. Tomatoes can tolerate each other. Also, measure flow rate—amount of solution
fairly high soluble salt content in the root zone; cucumbers delivered in 15 seconds, for example. This can help deter-
are less tolerant. As water is absorbed by plants, some salts mine how long to run the system each cycle. Remember the
are left behind in the media. These salts are mostly carbon- idea is to achieve about 10 to 15% of leach and to manage
ates and sulfates, e.g. calcium sulfate, calcium carbonate the media EC slightly higher than the delivered EC. It takes
(lime), and magnesium carbonate. If you are applying a time and experience to get all the pieces together. Early
nutrient solution with an electrical conductivity (EC) of 1.0 season irrigation program is different from full-grown
decisiemens/meter, you can tolerate a media EC of 1.5. If plants. Young seedlings do not have large root systems in
you are applying a solution of 2.0 EC (full-grown plants), the media. Therefore, young seedlings (up to about first
then you can tolerate a media EC of 2.5 to 2.8. The key is blossom) will need to be irrigated on timed basis instead
to watch the EC trends and begin corrective measures if of by the starter tray. Irrigate at least three times a day with
it continues to climb. Climbing EC indicates the need to enough solution to wet the young root system to encourage
increase frequency of irrigation (more water) by raising the roots into the media. After roots become established in the
probe setting of the starter tray or increasing the irrigation perlite, then control can be switched over to the starter tray
run time. Remember, the idea is to balance amount of (Figure 14).
water needed by the crop with that needed by the crop plus
leach. Maintaining the EC of the media slightly above the
delivered solution shows that you are a good manager of
nutrient solution delivery.

It is a good idea to have a few milk jugs positioned around

the house with an extra emitter punched in. Paint the jug
black to reduce algae growth and then scratch a clear line
from top to bottom of the jug so you can see the solution
level. Calibrate the mark by sequentially pouring in pints
of water and marking each pint level. The jug helps tell you
that the system came on that day and it can tell you how
much water was applied. With experience, you can tell how
much solution should be in the jug on a cloudy day versus
a sunny day or on a winter day versus a spring day. Several
jugs around the house can help you get an idea of emitter
flow rate uniformity. You might have problems if variance
among emitters is greater than 15%. Get into the habit of
performing the “bag slap test.” Pick up the corner of one
bag and flop it up and down a couple of times to get the feel
for its weight. Check a random six bags per house every day Figure 14. Young tomato plants showing stage of growth when start-
tray takes over irrigation control.
or so. Lightweight bags indicate not enough irrigation or
clogged emitters. What about starter tray probe settings? Generally, shallow
setting is for frequent irrigations and deeper setting is for
Be sure the emitter spaghetti tube length and that of the less frequent irrigations. Probe setting is one way to adjust
emitter plugged in for the jug, are the same length and the irrigation cycles to achieve the desired leach rate, to
size as those for the plants. Otherwise, a different flow achieve the desired amount of water for the plant, and to
rate could result. Also, be sure to position the opening of manage the soluble salt level in the media.
the emitter, or tube in the milk jug, so that the opening is
above the level of the irrigation line in between the rows. Sometimes, a salt deposit builds up on the probe point.
Otherwise, siphoning (forward or backward) could result in This should be removed regularly as it, in effect, lengthens
giving false jug readings. the probe. Also, algae and bacterial slime might build up in
the probe reservoir. Slimes might create a strand from the
Check emitter flow rate and uniformity periodically. Using reservoir to the probe, thus maintaining contact between
a graduated cylinder or a measuring cup, collect solution

Keys to Successful Tomato and Cucumber Production in Perlite Media 5

solution and probe, thus reducing irrigation cycle fre- 9. Emitter flow rates and uniformity measurements.
quency. Also, roots can grow into the reservoir and should
be trimmed back. 10. Fertilizer stock recipes and any adjustments.

The starter tray should be placed in an area of the house 11. Volume of leach tank pump out.
representative of the house environment, generally at least
1/4 of the distance from end walls (Figure 15). Place the
tray in an alley that receives frequent traffic, where it will
be observed daily. Many growers do not observe their tray
frequently enough.

Figure 15. Placement of black leachate collection trough and

Figure 16. Recording environmental data helps diagnose problems.
neighboring start-tray.

Record Keeping Observe, Observe

“Read” the Plants. Learn to anticipate potential problems
Good Growers Do It. The most consistent and best produc-
before they occur. Experienced growers know what
ing growers are the ones that practice good record keeping
healthy plants look like. But be careful here that you do
(Figure 16). Records help diagnose trends and problems
not associate green, vigorous plants with higher yield.
during the present season and they are invaluable for
Sometimes overly green, bullish, and thick plants are not
helping prevent repeat problems next season. Important
what you want and can actually be an indicator themselves
items for regular insertion in the record book are:
of a problem (too much fertilizer). Overly-vegetative plants
are more difficult to manage, more prone to disease, more
1. Max-min temperatures outside and inside the
prone to breakage, and typically have more problems with
greenhouse.
fruit quality (Figure 17).
2. Heating fuel consumption.

3. “Milk jug” measurements.

4. Delivered solution EC, pH, and nutrient solution concen-

trations, e.g. N and K.

5. Leachate EC and nutrient concentrations.

6. Flow meter readings.

7. Light meter readings.

8. Plant tissue analysis results, e.g. sap readings. Figure 17. Tomato fruits with cat-facing, reaction to excessive growth
rate.

Keys to Successful Tomato and Cucumber Production in Perlite Media 6

Knowing what kind of plant will produce the best fruit with be filtered. Also, be sure to use filtered water in the formula-
the least trouble is the most important key to being a suc- tion of the fertilizer stocks. Filters should be in black
cessful grower. This means that you must devote a portion housing to reduce algae growth in the filter. Always check
of each day to being a plant reader and record taker. Write and clean filters regularly; otherwise flow rate of water will
out notes in your record book about what you did today be reduced.
(sort of a diary). You will be glad you did when it comes
time to diagnose a problem. Read your book from last year
before you start up the new season, and read the old book
periodically throughout the new season to see what the
problem was last year and what you did to correct it.

Attention to detail most often sets the good (and profitable)

growers apart from the rest. Being observant, recording,
and reacting to what you observe are requisites for success-
ful greenhouse vegetable growing.

Irrigation System Design Figure 18. Various irrigation emitters, including button emitters and
spray stakes.
Pieces and Parts. The irrigation system needs to have all
Fertilizers are added to the water by injectors or propor-
the required parts and in the correct design. You need a
tioners. Typically proportioners are used in smaller-sized
backflow prevention system (check valve, pressure relief,
growing operations. Injectors typically are used with
and low pressure drain) for systems into which fertilizers
systems involving computer control technologies. Propor-
are to be proportioned.
tioners can be used on small-scale operations because they
are relatively inexpensive and operate on the water pressure,
Correctly designed systems allow for emitters in the
not requiring electric control.
house to have uniform flow rate. All parts should be sized
properly.
Both parallel and series installations of proportioners can
be used successfully. Proportioners can be installed in
The system should have pressure regulators and pressure
parallel to avoid problems associated with pressure losses
gauges. Also a flow meter would be a good idea to back up
across serial proportioners. Parallel installation can also be
milk jug measurements.
used if more water is needed than the maximum delivery of
What about emitter type and size? The key is emitter one proportioner.
orifice size. For Florida water, clogging can be a problem
Valves installed after each proportioner can be adjusted to
if the emitter orifice is too small. Therefore, it is suggested
equalized suction rates. Keep an eye on stock levels to be
that the opening to the emitter be at least 0.05 inches in
sure proportioners are operating equally. Also, check the
diameter. Options range from pressure compensating
nitrogen and potassium levels in the emitters to be sure the
“button” emitters to simple “water sticks” that project a
proportioners are operating correctly.If you have nitrogen
stream of solution from spaghetti tubing (0.05 inches inner
and potassium electrode kits, it might be a good idea to
diameter) (Figure 18). It is probably a good idea to have an
have all nitrogen in one stock and all potassium in the
emitter with a fairly high flow rate to minimize run time of
other stock (Figure 19). That way you can determine which
the system and minimize chance of clogging.
proportioner is malfunctioning and to what degree, by
Lines should be equipped with flush valves at the end. Open checking N and K concentrations in the stock tanks.
valves every week to flush out collected precipitates that
Injectors are typically used with larger operations in
might clog emitters.
conjunction with computer control. Injectors can be oper-
All good irrigation systems filter the water delivered to ated by the computer controller to inject various amounts
the house. Filtration should be about 200 mesh. Filtering of various fertilizers and chemicals on demand from a
protects the proportioners or injectors from damage, from computer program.
sand or limestone, from the well, and protects emitters
Back-up Parts. It is always a good idea to have spare parts
from clogging. Fertilizer from the stock tanks also should
around, especially for the more important components

Keys to Successful Tomato and Cucumber Production in Perlite Media 7

such as proportioners, solenoid valves, pressure regulators, should be removed from the house (Figure 10 and Figure
emitters, filters, etc. It seems as though things break down 25). Leachate can be collected in a large tank and used to
on weekends, or worse yet, on holidays. irrigate pasture, garden, vegetable crops, pine trees, nurser-
ies, etc. If the irrigation system is being operated properly,
as discussed earlier, then leachate should be relatively low in
nutrients but still would represent a potential point-source
for pollution, if not disposed of properly.

Figure 20. Thermometer for measuring floor temperature.

Figure 19. Nutrient stock tanks.

Weather Problems
Media Temperature. We have observed problems with
plants such as wilting, iron deficiency, reduced growth, etc.,
when the media temperature drops below 65°F. This can
happen during extended cloudy and cold periods. Cool
temperatures in the root zone reduce water and nutrient
uptake. Plants can wilt on a sunny day immediately follow-
ing a cool, cloudy period. If this is a problem, you might
want to consider a bottom or floor heat distribution system Figure 21. Tomato growing bags placed on raised benches for air
to help warm the root area. Also, raising bags up onto distribution.
benches two or three inches from the floor, so that there
is air space, will help insulate media from the cool floor.
Media temperature is extremely important for proper plant
growth (Figure 20, Figure 21, Figure 22, and Figure 23).
Temperature sensors and warning or alarm systems are a
good investment (Figure 24).

Sunlight. Extended cloudy and cool days might cause too

much delay in irrigation cycling. You might need to force
the system on for a few cycles on these days. Remember,
plants grow slower on these days so they do not need large
amounts of nutrients and water, but they do require some.

Leachate Collection
Figure 22. Concentric fruit cracking from fluctuations in fruit growth
System Design. Environmental concerns will probably rate resulting from variations in greenhouse temperature.
dictate that leachate be collected and disposed of properly.
Bags should drain into a collection trough and leachate

Keys to Successful Tomato and Cucumber Production in Perlite Media 8

 Computerization
Who Needs It? Computerized controllers can be a good
investment for some growers; however, electronic control-
lers are a good investment for all growers. It depends on
your size, on how many other functions (besides water
and nutrient programs) you want controlled, and on how
much information (data) you want collected and stored.
Small, one, two, or three-house operations can usually
do quite well with simple electronic controllers for their
irrigation systems. Larger operations can benefit from the
control level and data collection afforded by computerized
systems. Computer-controlled systems collect readings of
several environmental variables, e.g. temperature, relative
Figure 23. Tomato fruits with gray-wall from cool, cloudy environment.
humidity, sunlight intensity, etc. These measurements are
analyzed by the computer and decisions are made concern-
ing environmental controls, for example, turning on or off
the exhaust fans, deploying shade cloth, or operating the
irrigation system. As the computer uses the data it collects
to operate the environmental controls, also it stores those
data for analysis and reporting to the greenhouse operator.

Pest Control
Greenhouse crops are very good hosts for diseases, insects,
and nematodes. Similar problems to what outdoor crop
growers face, can occur in greenhouses, and sometimes
the problems can be more serious. Greenhouses afford
favorable growing conditions for the plant, and the pests
also benefit from favorable environmental conditions. The
keys to managing greenhouse crop pests fall into several
categories: selecting pest resistant varieties (this pertains to
diseases), controlling the environment to reduce diseases
(Figure 26, Figure 27, and Figure 28), constructing the
greenhouse to maximize insect exclusion, practicing good
Figure 24. Alarm device that phones owner of deviations in set sanitation in and around the greenhouse (Figure 29 and
environmental parameters. Figure 30), and applying appropriate chemical or manual
control measures (Figure 31). Greenhouses present special
challenges for pest control, e.g., rapidly growing crop,
tall crops, enclosed growing space (special challenges for
worker protection), and mostly manual operations for pest
control practices. Therefore, it is critical to stay abreast of
preventative measures, rather than to get into situations
of crop rescue. More information on pest management is
available from the references listed at the end of this guide.

Harvesting and Handling

For maximizing yields and fruit quality, fruits must be
harvested at the optimum stage of ripeness. Careful
handling and transport from the greenhouse to grading and
Figure 25. Installing greenhouse floor with leachate collection system.
packing area is very important. Workers must be trained in
all aspects of proper harvesting and handling procedures.

Keys to Successful Tomato and Cucumber Production in Perlite Media 9

Fruits for market must be packed in proper boxes which
are appropriate for the size of the fruits and properly and
attractively labeled (Figure 32).

Figure 26. Greenhouse with woven shade cover.

Figure 29. Foot bath to sanitize shoes prior to greenhouse entry.

Figure 27. Horizontal air-flow fan for circulating air in greenhouse.

Figure 30. Greenhouse sanitation includes weed removal from

greenhouse perimeter.

Figure 28. Keeping lower, older leaves pruned to remove disease

organisms and improve air flow.

Figure 31. Motorized, backpack sprayer for applying pesticides.

Keys to Successful Tomato and Cucumber Production in Perlite Media 10

Figure 32. Attractive packaging for greenhouse vegetables.

Finishing Up the Season

Clean Up. Media can be dried out near the end of the
season by letting plants draw out the water. Just turn off the
irrigation system. It will take four to six days for wilting to
begin. Remove plants before they become brittle to reduce
the mess for the clean up crew. Drying out the bags will
make them easier to handle.

Perlite media should be disposed of properly. Although, we

have had success using the old media for a second crop, the
practice is risky. Perlite can be distributed on a field and
incorporated into the soil. Perlite can be used for soil mixes
for container production of woody plants.

Irrigation lines and emitters should be cleaned with acid

to remove lime deposits and fertilizer precipitates. A 1%
acid solution should work in most situations. Acidification
should be done at end of season since acidic solutions
might injure plants. Flush system following acidification.

Additional Information
More information on hydroponic vegetable production is
available from UF/IFAS Extension. The following is a listing
of sources for this information.

Visit the the small farms website at http://smallfarms.ifas.

ufl.edu.

Keys to Successful Tomato and Cucumber Production in Perlite Media 11