What have you potted them into fishy65? Partly out of laziness and a lack of indoor space, I tend not to have too many potting stages for mine. I start them in deep modules (two seeds per module) and then put them into individual 3" pots when they have small true leaves. That's where I'm at currently.
I usually now keep them in these pots until they're ready to go into the coldframe to harden off (late May hopefully). I used to worry that keeping them in small pots for so long holds them back but I've really found it doesn't. I did try having an intermediate stage with them in 4.5" pots but they then don't fit in the windowsill and just take over.
So aftert they've hardened off and I think nighttime temps are no longer an issue, i just bury them deeply into their final 20 litre pots and off they go...
Fishy65, I just put them into 3 inch pots untill they are about 6 to 8 inch high and then plant them in their final destination. For me, this is large pots 10 to 15 ltr is sufficient. Check my growing tomatoes video part 3for this stage. Here is the link
Steve - afraid I can't agree with what you say about the right time for potting-up those tomato seedlings.
Research has been carried on this and the conclusion was that these seedlings should be potted-on immediately the seed leaves have straightened out.....otherwise it affects the formation of the bottom truss of fruit.
David K - You may be right, I haven't seen that research.
As you can see from my videos, I pot them on at the stage that you are saying.
However, if buying now as plugs or similar, then I would still pot them into 3 inch pots to let them grow large enough before planting out in big pots or the ground. As long as there is no damage to the roots and main stem during the process, then there should be no problem.
xgcxg Thanks for your kind comments, and good luck with yours too!!
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I usually now keep them in these pots until they're ready to go into the coldframe to harden off (late May hopefully). I used to worry that keeping them in small pots for so long holds them back but I've really found it doesn't. I did try having an intermediate stage with them in 4.5" pots but they then don't fit in the windowsill and just take over.
So aftert they've hardened off and I think nighttime temps are no longer an issue, i just bury them deeply into their final 20 litre pots and off they go...
Fishy65, I just put them into 3 inch pots untill they are about 6 to 8 inch high and then plant them in their final destination. For me, this is large pots 10 to 15 ltr is sufficient. Check my growing tomatoes video part 3for this stage. Here is the link
https://youtu.be/fEhng2J6a-c
It's not too late to buy small tomato plants and pot them into small pots or buy larger plants and put them in large pots / growbags.
My video Growing tomatoes Part 2 covers the initial potting on stage. See the following link:
For potting on larger tomato plants check out Growing Tomatoes part 3:
Steve - afraid I can't agree with what you say about the right time for potting-up those tomato seedlings.
Research has been carried on this and the conclusion was that these seedlings should be potted-on immediately the seed leaves have straightened out.....otherwise it affects the formation of the bottom truss of fruit.
Thanks Simon. Just watched all of these. Good luck with your 2015 crop!
Senior moment (we haven't been introduced)
'Simon Knott'.....everything else, as you were, as it were.
David K - You may be right, I haven't seen that research.
As you can see from my videos, I pot them on at the stage that you are saying.
However, if buying now as plugs or similar, then I would still pot them into 3 inch pots to let them grow large enough before planting out in big pots or the ground. As long as there is no damage to the roots and main stem during the process, then there should be no problem.
xgcxg Thanks for your kind comments, and good luck with yours too!!
No one ever listens to me....sniff!
http://www.gardenersworld.com/forum/fruit-andamp-veg/top-tom-tip/637991.html
David K - haha! interesting tip! I might just have to try an experiment next year!!