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Problem with Tomato Plants

Kitty52Kitty52 Posts: 186
in Fruit & veg
I have sown two different varieties of tomato plants and they came on okay and I transplanted them into small pots.  However they don't seem to have grown very much since and when I turned a couple out there is no root system showing around the soil.  Could I have transplanted them on too early?  They are inside on a window sill. Is there anything I can do in the meantime or just wait and see if they come on when it is time to put them out in the greenhouse?  Had lots of success with tomatoes last year.

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Do you have a photo @Kitty52?
    Ideally, they should be moved on when they're a few inches tall and roots are showing through the bottom of the initial pots or trays. Burying them up to the seed leaves also helps with root development.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Kitty52Kitty52 Posts: 186
    I think I may have moved them on too soon.  Would it be worthwhile repotting some of them up to the seed leaves now to see if that helps?
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It's difficult to say without seeing them. If they're very small, they may struggle a bit if the pots they're in are a bit big for them. The roots get over wet and then struggle a bit. If that's the case, it might be worth putting them in smaller pots. 

    I sow 3 seeds in a 3 inch pot [late March or so]  and remove one if they all germinate. Once they're a few inches high, I pot on separately - usually into a similar sized pot, but a bit deeper, and let them grow until the roots are coming through. Mine are now about 10 inches or so, and will get moved on again soon, before going into the greenhouse. It's still a bit cold in there at night, so it'll probably be couple of weeks before they go out there.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
    Picture please see and sizes
  • Kitty52Kitty52 Posts: 186
    Just noticed you asked for photo.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I think those will be ok. Just give them some time and don't be too keen with the watering. They actually do better if they're only watered once they've got a bit dry. They don't appreciate being in damp soil all the time  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Kitty52Kitty52 Posts: 186
    Okay thanks.  I had felt they weren't getting any bigger really.  Last year they were must taller at this stage. I'll watch the watering. 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I think they'll be ok.  :)
    They do best when under a bit of stress - it prompts them into flowering, and therefore fruiting, a bit more quickly. Leaving them a bit longer before potting on is often beneficial  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Kitty52Kitty52 Posts: 186
    Thanks for the advice.
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