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Tomato seedlings

KeenOnGreenKeenOnGreen Posts: 1,831
edited May 2018 in Fruit & veg
I potted up our Tomato seedlings 3 weeks ago.  They are the greenhouse.  They have barely grown since and look weak with slightly yellow leaves, rather than fresh green.  The pots seem well watered, they are sat in water, with roots showing through at the bottom, but the surface of the compost keeps getting baked.  Can’t tell if they are too waterlogged or too dry at the surface. 

Posts

  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    What size pots are they in, they look a bit big, it’s good to keep them snug and pot on slowly. then they will struggle to fill the pots, thus making good roots. They should never be sitting in water, nor should they be in a place where they get baked. Somewhere cooler and shady when they are babies.  The reason the roots are out of the bottom of the pot is because they are in water, not because they’ve filled the pot. 
    I would take them out, pot in a pot just a tiny bit bigger than the root ball, sink them in up to that new growth almost and keep in the shade.
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    In addition to Lyn's great advice, I would also say - wait till they look slightly droopy before watering again.  Stick to that regime  through the plant's life so that there's consistency. It helps prevent splitting. 
    They don't need to be constantly damp, and certainly shouldn't be soaking wet. Treat 'em a bit mean  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • KeenOnGreenKeenOnGreen Posts: 1,831
    Thanks both.  The greenhouse is clearly not the best place for them and I think we have been overwatering.  I’ll follow your advice. 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    The greenhouse would be fine, but try and find a bit that's shaded and not too hot if you can until they recover a bit. If that's not possible, out somewhere suitable in the day and in at night till they get going again. I'm sure they'll recover well  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    I’ve got silver backed bubble wrap in the GH, I use it to shade strawberries and tomatoes. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,995
    Too much water, as the others said.. but you might try repotting in the same pots with different (higher quality) compost.  I had terrible trouble with my organic potting-on compost this year.. which resolved itself when I tried a different brand and repotted everything.  
    Utah, USA.
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    I still think over potting is not good. Pot on gradually for best results.
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

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