leggy?

[jimbojetset]

Haven't been doing tom's for that long and a few of them are a bit on the tall and slim side...
So for the benefit of myself, and am sure a few others, what is the problem with leggy tom's?
Is it worth planting them / or burying them up to their eyeballs / or just starting again?
Cheers!
x

[Shadylane]

The problem is that they're just a bit weak and feeble and they need to be strong stemmed. And yes you can bury them up to their eyeballs (or seed leaves) cos they'll root from the stem

[taff]

bury to the first set of leaves, the furry bits on the stems will form new roots.
You can start again if you want, but if you're growing types that need a long season they may not ripen in time before the weather turns again [like beefsteak varieities]. Having said that though, it's still quite early, so most types will be fine and it's usually warmer in london.
Anything you sow now will probably catch up with what you've already sown.

[Florence Fennel]

I'd bury them up to their armpits, not their eyeballs. They'll soon be strong and healthy if you do this.

[Two_Sheds]

what is the problem with leggy tom's?

the same problem with any leggy seedling: they aren't getting enough light.

Mine are on a south-facing windowsill and are about 7 weeks old, 6" high and a bit ... soft and feeble.
It's the best I can do for them, without a heated greenhouse. They'll pick up a bit with the increasing daylight hours, but I won't be putting them outside for a month or so yet.

[jimbojetset]

Brilliant stuff, thanks everyone!
Yes, probably wasn't clear (as usual)... I get why they are leggy, was more wondering what the issues of planting out the leggy ones...

[Shadylane]

It's like anything really, if they're not strong, they'll not do as well. A gust of wind could knock em over - plus they have to support loads of juicy tomatoes

[Flummery]

They will have problems supporting the massive trusses of fruits you are hoping they will have! Weak stems are prone to snapping.

[jimbojetset]

ha! I like these explanations! x