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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#1 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Farmington, Michigan. Zone 5b/6a
Posts: 421
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I am a 2nd year tomato grower. I started from seeds. My present seedings are just over 2 weeks old and 1 1/2 to 2" inches tall. I give them 12-13 hours of light per day. I am using a spray bottle to water daily. 50% 0f my growths are bent over (12 plants) about 50% but are just growing their first "true leaves" about 2 days ago. Sorry.......no pictures yet. Any guesses why they are "bent over" about 50% ........? They are all growing but very slow IMHO. I lowered the light to 5 inches away 3 days ago with almost no difference to the plants. No plants have died......I would just like them to straight-up and continue growing bigger
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#2 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Up North
Posts: 660
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water on side of container.....spray 7 squirts, put light just above plant....
what KIND of lights? Have a sunny area anywhere? |
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#3 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Floyd VA
Posts: 771
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It sounds like they may be leggy. This can be caused by low light and/or high temperatures.
What kind of lights are you using? Fluorescent tubes should be 1-2" above the plant tops and on for 16 hours per day, so you may not be giving them enough light. A soil temperature of 82-84 is pretty hot for tomato seedlings. Try adding a fan to your light timer to keep them cooler. This will also help make the stems stronger. TomNJ |
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#4 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Farmington, Michigan. Zone 5b/6a
Posts: 421
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#5 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 682
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A picture is worth a thousand words and would be a great tool to help you, but I do have a question.
Are you using a heat mat? and is it still on? The reason I am asking is that once plants germinate you should turn off or remove the heat mat. I am not sure of the why behind it all, but any time I leave the heat mat on after the majority have sprouted I have noticed the plants will get too leggy and be top heavy and fall over.
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#6 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Illinois
Posts: 180
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I had a couple get top heavy and fall over early on - I used a bamboo skewer stuck in the soil to prop them against. After a little time with some help standing up, they were fine on their own. Don't know if that helps at all, but just a thought.
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#7 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Farmington, Michigan. Zone 5b/6a
Posts: 421
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__________________
Always looking for a better way to grow tomatoes .......... ![]() |
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