2 week old seedings?

Talon1189 · April 25, 2011

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

My soil temperature is 82-84 degrees at the soil level through my digital temperature meter. All ideas are appreciated here. >>>>>>>>Talon

OneoftheEarls · April 25, 2011

water on side of container.....spray 7 squirts, put light just above plant....

what KIND of lights? Have a sunny area anywhere?

TomNJ · April 25, 2011

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

Talon1189 · April 25, 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by OneoftheEarls

water on side of container.....spray 7 squirts, put light just above plant....

what KIND of lights? Have a sunny area anywhere?

I have a very high Lumen florescent light (horseshoe shaped bulbs) made for growing plants through water (aquarium lighting) All plants were fine from seedlings last March with the same lights.......this season.......they are bent over 50% but still growing

Maybe I am pushing the panic button too early here. I am growing in old ice cube containers just like last season with great success

>>>>>>>> Talon

Stepheninky · April 25, 2011

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.

Chucker · April 25, 2011

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.

Talon1189 · April 25, 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stepheninky

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.

I agree that a picture is worth a "thousand words" I used NO heat mat.........I will find my camera and post pictures in the next day or two to get rid of the guessing game here. Thank you so much

April 25, 2011	#1
Talon1189 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Farmington, Michigan. Zone 5b/6a Posts: 421	2 week old seedings? 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 My soil temperature is 82-84 degrees at the soil level through my digital temperature meter. All ideas are appreciated here. >>>>>>>>Talon __________________ Always looking for a better way to grow tomatoes ..........

April 25, 2011	#5
Stepheninky Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Kentucky Posts: 682	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. __________________ tomatoprojects.blogspot.com

April 25, 2011	#2
OneoftheEarls Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Up North Posts: 660	water on side of container.....spray 7 squirts, put light just above plant.... what KIND of lights? Have a sunny area anywhere?

April 25, 2011	#3
TomNJ Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2009 Location: Floyd VA Posts: 767	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

April 25, 2011	#6
Chucker Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 180	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.