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Tomato seedlings
emma lou
Posts: 170
I have planted some tomato seeds and they have grown quite spindly 2 weeks after sowing. There are 2 or 3 seedlings per pot and are looking very spindly and growing sideways as they are not very strong. They are growing into each other and getting tangled. I am reluctant to split them at this stage but should they suddenly grow upwards and become stronger or do I need to replant them now?
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How many leaves do they have? If they have more than the two 'seed leaves' then I would prick them out into individual pots, planting them deeply - right up to the seed leaves.
Are they still in a propagator? If so they're probably too warm and not getting enough light.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Thanks for the reply. They have between 2 and 4 small leaves. The stems are 2" long. I have read it is not enough light or lack of nutrients in the soil. Do you think I should seperate them as they are still very fragile or plant the 2 or 3 from each seedling pot all together? Planting them deeper sounds a good plan but look too fragile to split.
It's the problem with planting too early Emma. They need a lot of light - yours have been trying to get that which is what makes them leggy and leaning.
You've nothing to lose really, and can always sow more. You could remove everything from each pot - just leaving one, then put that into a slightly bigger pot, well buried as Dove describes
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Sorry, I replied just now but it didn't get posted?? I have just repotted them into a deeper tray but could not split them as they are too fragile still. They look better now and more sturdy but should I put a propogator lid on them and leave in the sunshine during the day? I do not have a greenhouse or heaters for them so have to go back to basics I am afraid. I thought putting them in sunshine with the propogator lid may help??
When you say in the sunshine - did you mean outside? Keep the lid off while it's hot Emma, otherwise they'll wilt. Ventilation is also important for healthy growth. Trays aren't deep enough either. I'd put them in 3 or 4 inch pots ( 7 or 8 cm) so that they can get a decent root system to support them. At some point you'll have to separate them though.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Hmm....OK thanks. They are currently indoors but on a window sill in the sunshine? The tray is around 3" deep so considering there isn't a root system atm thought that may be sufficient. I am really struggling as I don't have a greenhouse or place for sowing seeds atm and all my pots are out of reach in the shed. I need to get my husband to get the, down for me so may take a few days. I am hoping after another week or two I can get the stems a little stronger then split them but atm is not possible. Should I try putting the lid on just at night then? I have been leaving them in the utility room at night and back in the sun during the day.
It's difficult without space to get them right Emma. Don't worry - we've all done it!
If you sow very early, you really need to have the right conditions, so it's best to only sow a few if you don't. Consistency and plenty of light is what they really need. If the utility room doesn't have lots of light, they're better on the window, but keep turning them. The problem with trays is that the roots will all start to entwine and spread outwards, which makes splitting them very tricky. Ideally, you'd sow one seed to a small pot, and if you want to use trays, you need the ones with the individual cells.
However - all is not lost! When you get some pots put a clump of two or three in together, and just remove the excess plants right at their base so that you have one good in each pot. When you pot on again, plant them deeply, and just keep removing any excess little plants leaving one good plant. That way, you should get some decent enough plants to put out later on in the year.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Oh thank you for that. Last question. If they have a propogator lid, should I put this on overnight in the utility room or is there no benefit to doing this?
I wouldn't bother if the temps in there are reasonable Emma. You could put it half on or open vents on it if you have those, and you feel they need it. Normally you wouldn't use a lid once there's some growth there. It's about getting a balance. The lid creates condensation which can lead to more problems. A good air flow is important round them - especially if you have lots of plants in a confined area.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Hi I was going to ask the question about planting tomato seeds now got a plastic greenhouse but not heated so this year thought about trying them inside on the window ledge. But not sure exactly when so to not force them up to early .any advice. Thanks.