Tomato Problem

[TheHat]

Hi guy's

A couple of weeks a go I got all over excited and sowed some Toms in some unheated propagators and have kept them on a sunny (when it comes out) windowsill.

Now I have had a really good germination rate and have almost 80% of them up and growing.

The problem I have is that they are looking a little leggy.... I think thats the word but they are yet to produce there first set of true leaves. I think they are big enough to transplant into 3in pots but all the books and stuff I have read indicates to wait till they have there first true leaves. So what do you guys think I should do?? Take the chance and transplant them now or wait?? Whichever way if they fail it no biggie as I can re sow with new seeds in a couple of weeks.

Many Thanks

Vince the Hat

[Flummery]

As long as you life them by the leaf, not the stem, you could pot on. I did with my chillies. They now have their second leaves and look fine.

[TheHat]

Thank you Flum

That was my thought just wanted a second opinion

As I said it no big worry if I mess it up, will just mean a trip to the GC and more seeds

Cheers

[Flummery]

I've tried a very early sowing of chillies and of one seed each of some of my heritage tomatoes. As you said, if it doesn't work, I will try again when I sow the bulk of my toms - early March. If it DOES work - it's an early crop eh?

[Snadger]

As you pot them on you could bury them deeper, nearly up to their seed leaves which would help to counteract their legginess!

[Sanjo]

As you pot them on you could bury them deeper, nearly up to their seed leaves which would help to counteract their legginess!

I just had to do this with my Marmande which grew quite leggy. Look better now.

[TheHat]

I've tried a very early sowing of chillies and of one seed each of some of my heritage tomatoes. As you said, if it doesn't work, I will try again when I sow the bulk of my toms - early March. If it DOES work - it's an early crop eh?

That was my thought Flum, Also by getting these in early it will free up room for other sowings of Chilli and Sweet Peppers which I have been waiting for a bit more sun in a few weeks.

As you pot them on you could bury them deeper, nearly up to their seed leaves which would help to counteract their legginess!

Thanks Snadger, I had not thought of that!! I will give that a go when I pot them on later.

Cheers

Vince The Hat

[Bigmallly]

Due to my impatience, most of my seeds (not only Toms) have become leggy & have had to be potted up deeper as Snadge recommended.

[Tomatoking]

Leggy tomato seedlings are just lack of light. If you made a light box up, lined with silver foil and a florescent tube above the plants, it would give good light and a little heat.
If I were you, I would re-sow and also pot what you have sown deeper, you have nothing to lose.
Mr TK

[TheHat]

Leggy tomato seedlings are just lack of light. If you made a light box up, lined with silver foil and a florescent tube above the plants, it would give good light and a little heat.
If I were you, I would re-sow and also pot what you have sown deeper, you have nothing to lose.
Mr TK

Thank's I guessed it would be lack of good light, I knew that could be an issue with sowing so early. I don't have the room or the gear to set up a light box . I will pot on what I have a little deeper as suggested and see how they go I have only sown half my seeds for most of them so will only have to replace 1 or 2. I was planning to make a sowing later early next month any way.

As you said nothing to loose, this is my first year so it all a bit of guessing and all that fun.

Cheers

Vince The Hat

[grannysmith]

I was going to sow mine in the next few weeks too, but reading this, is it better to wait until there is more light around?

[BUFFS]

if your toms are "leggy" ,do as snadger says and pot them deeper,then surround them on three sides with oven foil,as this will bounce around the light ,stopping them getting "leggy" again,costs pennies but works wonders.

[Flummery]

I was going to sow mine in the next few weeks too, but reading this, is it better to wait until there is more light around?

I normally sow in March. I've put a few big fruited heritage ones in early because they takes AGES to flower and set fruit otherwise. I can only cope because there are only 6 of them!