Leggy tomatillos

[Sylvan]

I have 23 tomatillo seedlings in modules on a south facing windowsill. Unfortunately, just after they germinated the good weather finished and we have had a week of horribly dull days. They still have only their seed leaves but they are incredibly leggy.

Can I plant them deeply, the way I would with tomatoes, to try to salvage something?

[selfraising]

I think I would plant them more deeply and perhaps move to a less sunny windowsill for a bit so they don't get too tall.

[Sylvan]

Thanks selfraising. Can I prick them out now or do I have to wait till they have some proper leaves?

[selfraising]

Yes, try and take as much of the compost with it when you pot them up and plant up to the seed leaves.

[Sylvan]

They're in a tray of 24 modules, each about 2" square.

[Sylvan]

I think I'm losing the plot. I could have sworn your post said "Are they sown in a seed tray?"!

[Demeter]

Never grown them but would expect them to be OK as other say they grow them same as tomatoes.
Just wanted to say I love your profile pic lol

[Sylvan]

Thanks. I'm afraid i have a rather warped sense of humour

[selfraising]

I think I'm losing the plot. I could have sworn your post said "Are they sown in a seed tray?"!

I'm still looking for a plot

[miffy]

Hi Sylvan, my tomitillos went leggy too, potted them on into deeper pots so their leggy bits were buried too!! Oh er vicar...They have been fine and put on more leafy growth, hope yours will be ok.

[Alison]

As Miffy says, tomatillos often get a bit leggy, mine were last year, even when planted next to tomatoes which were fine. I always pot them on deep and they come along just great.

[Sylvan]

Thank goodness
I thought I had done something really odd. They were next to pepinos, which were fine, so I couldn't work it out.

I've potted them into 3" pots, almost up to the seed leaves, and moved them to a cooler spot.

How hardy are they? I know I shouldn't leave the tomatoes, courgettes and peppers outside at temps of below 10C. Is it the same for tomatillos?

I'm still looking for a plot too selfraising

[Alison]

Treat them the same as tomatoes, when it gets warm enough for them, then it's warm enough from the tomatillos.

[Sylvan]

Thank you

[womble]

I can give you the benefit of my growing tomatillos last year
They are very delicate little plants and seem to take ages to get going, tomatoes are big rugged rugby players against the tomatillos being ballet dancers.
You have to treat them with care and shelter them against the wind. When they get a bit bigger they will be ok.

I planted mine up to the seed leaves as well.

Its a shame all mine died this year, not as hardy as tomatoes going in the greenhouse overnight it seems. I've sowed some more seeds, but am way behind now.