New to growing your own tomatoes? This is the forum to learn the successful techniques used by seasoned tomato growers. Questions are welcome, too.
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March 7, 2018 | #1 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: N.E. Wisconsin
Posts: 308
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When to fertilize the seedlings?
Ok the tomatoes have been up for about a week, and the Shish-ito peppers 4 days I've been told when I fertilize the seedlings for the 1st time make sure to use a liquid fertilizer and dilute it with water to no stronger than 1/4 strength. Is there a rule of thumb to use as a guide on when to fertilize for the 1st time? When I pour the fertilizer water mix into the bottom of the tray holding the seedlings, should I add so the mix is 1/4" up the side and do I leave it there for the plants, or do I drain it after the seed trays are wet? Thanks for the help.
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March 7, 2018 | #2 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 1,460
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There are lots of different theories and practices regarding fertilizing seedlings. Personally, I don't fertilize them at all until they have at least 2 sets of true leaves, usually more, sometimes much more, lol. Then I pot them up into solo cups using a potting mix that contains fertilizer and I never use a liquid fertilizer at all. They get the first dose when they go into the garden.
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March 7, 2018 | #3 |
BANNED FOR LIFE
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 13,333
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I'm going to mirror what Sue wrote above. I wouldn't fertilize before potting them up. There have been years that I didn't fertilize at all.
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March 7, 2018 | #4 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 3,194
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Many say that one should start the 1/4 strength fert after the first true leave open. No, I wouldn't let the plants sit in water all the time. Just get them well wet from bottom water, then remove so they can drain.
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March 7, 2018 | #5 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 880
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I fertilize when seedlings have their first set of true leaves. Liquid fish and kelp or just fish emulsion (depending on what I have on hand). 1\4 strength is correct for seedlings. Let them soak it up for 20 minutes or so . I use what is left over on other plants or just toss it. Good luck!
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March 7, 2018 | #6 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: So Cal
Posts: 380
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I wait for mine to get the first set of true leaves, then I use 1\4 strength M G let them bottom soak for 5 minutes.
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March 7, 2018 | #7 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Illinois, zone 6
Posts: 8,407
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I've been mixing a tiny bit of Schultz pelleted time-release in my seed-starting mix. The stuff is cheap, and works almost as well as Osmocote. Even with a seed touching a pellet of the fertilizer, they seem to grow fine without burning. The nutrients come out of the time-release stuff slowly enough that it won't burn plants.
Worm castings are another proven and effective fertilizer, and a component of the more expensive seed-starting mixes. They too tend to not burn plants, even though a tiny bit goes a long way. |
March 8, 2018 | #8 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: France
Posts: 554
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I see I'm not the only one to divide the suggested dose of fertilizer by 4. I take a common liquid fertilizer. When do I start fertilizing ? it depends on the volume of mix tomatoes are growing in. The smallest the earlier but never before true leaves appear.
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March 8, 2018 | #9 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Romania/Germany , z 4-6
Posts: 1,582
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I have occasionally grown seedlings directly in 'hot' prefertilized mix. Did great tbh. I personally add some organic pellets to the bottom of the cups, for the roots to reach them when they grow a bit, but using quality time release premixed per instructions is ideal for ease of use and peace of mind.
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