Early Tomato Thread

[tiachica]

Right, I finally got round to sowing my tomatoes:

Malakhitova Shkatulka
Gardener's Delight
Tigerella

Does that mean I can still take part here? ;-)

[nerdgas]

My Roma's and Moneymakers (sown 7th Jan) have been doing pretty well.

Some of them have been setting true leaves already.

I'll post some pics.

[northmaid]

Sowed some tomato seeds 29 December, they germinated and started to get a bit leggy so potted them on deeper into 3" pots and these have been on a windowsill since 9 January. They still only have the seed leaves, can anyone tell me how long is it likely to take for the true leaves start showing? It's the first time I've grown tomatoes from seed so don't know what to expect. Thanks.

[FROSTYFRECKLE]

Okay so my kitchen is a tad less soggy so I've popped 4 Grushovka and 4 Roma VF in. Not in the propagator this time (as it's full of chilli seeds) but in the airing cupboard.

[maypril]

Here's a picture of one of my tomato plants. Its seed was sown a few days after Christmas.

[Flummery]

Now that's looking good!

[glasgowdan]

Maypril have you any idea why mine are still tiny seedlings? They were planted boxing day and germinated very quickly, then put into pots of potting compost with a bit of sand and left on the windowsill... they are still tiny and some have died!

I'm losing confidence!

[Incy]

Maypril have you any idea why mine are still tiny seedlings? They were planted boxing day and germinated very quickly, then put into pots of potting compost with a bit of sand and left on the windowsill... they are still tiny and some have died!

I'm losing confidence!

I'm having that problem too. I think it's because it's been so gloomy and not quite warm enough for them. Don't lose confidence it is very early to sow them so there is always a risk they won't make it. I will be sowing more over the coming weeks and I'm sure that with the lengthening days they will do better than the first batch.
Last years were sown the 1st week in February and did really well

[maypril]

They were planted boxing day and germinated very quickly, then put into pots of potting compost with a bit of sand and left on the windowsill

Is the windowsill on a south facing wall? They need all the light they can get at this time of the year because the days are so short.

[Florence Fennel]

I can hardly believe it - I sowed a teaser pack of 12 seeds on Saturday afternoon and left them on the windowsill with cling film over. I haven't looked at them until this morning and they're up and about an inch high! I wasn't expecting to see anything for 7 to 10 days at least.

[tiachica]

I have noticed today that I have the first few tomatoe seedlings. Nice. :-)

[kiwirach]

geez!, i was getting all excited to post my 3 seedlings are growing another leaf each, then i see maypils photo!!. best go talk to my plants i think!!.

p.s. dead jealous :-)

[binley100]

I have the free Roma seeds up (and Aubs) . They were on the windowsill and didn't seem to be doing anything so I popped them in the airing cupboard and they shot up in about three days!
They're back on the window sill and are looking a bit leggy so I think I'll pot them deep and then move them into the conservatory . Not as warm but more light.

[Florence Fennel]

I'm doing the same Binley, potting on deep. They seem to have shot up so quickly they've outgrown themselves. Tis funny that I no longer feel like a complete novice. Last year I had to ask very basic advice on "New Shoots" about tomato growing and this year I'm full of confidence. Hope that's not tempting fate!

[maypril]

If it makes you feel better kiwirach, most of my plants aren't doing anywhere near as well as the picture I posted before. I've attached some more pictures below.

I agree with planting deep when you pot up. That's what I've done with mine. Tomato plants will grow roots from the stems if they're under the soil, so planting deep will encourage stronger growth in the long run.