Tomato seeds haven't germinated. Start again?

[gardening_gal]

I sowed 3 different types of tomatoes (all standard cordons, moneymaker and the like) in individual cells in a tray and covered the tray with a clear plastic lid. This then sat on a high shelf in the polytunnel.

The weather was good for most of the time but has got colder and wetter now.

None of the seeds have germinated and they were sowed around 12 days ago. (Might even be a bit longer.) My peas or beans haven't germinated either.

Is it just too cold do you think? Might they have rotted? Should I start again? (I'm in Perthshire in Scotland.)

I put cucumber and courgette seeds in the heated prop and they were up in 2 days!

I'm sure the last time I grew toms the seeds germinated quickly. Not quite sure whether to wait or resow and maybe use the prop this time for these too. Be grateful for advice.

[Knight of Albion]

Not sure what the weather is like in Perthshire, but quite a bit chillier than down here in southern England I suspect, so that could be a factor.

Another possibility is that you've over watered and the seeds have rotted.

If it was me, I'd plant some new seed and keep the seed tray indoors in the warm. That will get them started.
And then you can put them out in the polytunnel. (If they stay indoors too long they'll bolt and go all straggly) Though, dependent on the Perthshire weather, you could bring them in at night if necessary.

[RaptorUK]

Why didn't you propagate the Toms in the heated propagator ? I did mine in an electric propagator and they were up in a week.

[WendyC]

Could you put them in the heated propagator to see if that spurs them on a bit? Or at least bring them in? You could have a little poke around with a pencil or similar to see what's going on. Indoors, tomatoes are usually up within the week.

[gardening_gal]

@ Raptor, I just didn't have room because of the other things that were in there. With hindsight I expect I should just have staggered the sowings.

I'll gently poke about the cells to see if I can see anything first but I think I'll resow too.

Thanks.

[rustylady]

I would bring your seed trays in and put them in the propagator for a couple of days before you re-sow. Just might kickstart them.

[gardening_gal]

I've just a had a wee dig about. Out of a tray of 24 cells, one centre cell has a tiny (so small I almost missed it) germinated seed.

The rest look completely empty but I'll give it a day or two in the warm before giving up on them. I'm still going to sow more in the prop I think too though.

[Kristen]

Can you just bring them into the house to give them some warmth, until they are "up"? If you can put them somewhere warm - airing cupboard, or boiler room etc - then even better. Check them twice a day and move them to good light the moment they are up (otherwise they will get very leggy very quickly), but they can be in the dark until then.

[gardening_gal]

Yes they are in the warm now Kristen. They'll have a few more days then I'll assume the seeds have rotted if nothing happens.

[Knight of Albion]

This might be anathema to a proud Scottish gardener, but given your geographical position i.e. being further north you have a shorter growing season, you might care to entertain the idea of getting some grafted tomatoes from a professional nurseryman.

The advantage of this is that the plants would be established, about 6 inches tall and raring to go. Which would compensate you for the shorter season.

Grafted tomatoes are reliable croppers. Though of course it does involve a financial cost in buying the plants, as opposed to growing from seed yourself for next to nothing.

[Kristen]

you might care to entertain the idea of getting some grafted tomatoes from a professional nurseryman.

Good point

I haven't grown grafted plants, but chums who do say that they start cropping a bit earlier than non-grafted ones (and have somewhat higher yields)

But buying plants, even if not grafted, will save 6 weeks, or so, growing time [from seed] - so in the absence of ideal early-season growing conditions such as a greenhouse that might be an option

[RaptorUK]

@ Raptor, I just didn't have room because of the other things that were in there. With hindsight I expect I should just have staggered the sowings.

Yep, I know what that is like I'm growing more than I ever have before by a huge margin and am finding it very tight for space just about everywhere. I still have Fennel to sow and more Cauliflowers . . . no idea where they are going to go

[eospete]

Have you got a gardening buddy growing toms. You might be able to strike some side shoots as cuttings. I do this to give me an early batch and a later batch but in your case it may give you a month headstart on sowing again. Btw one decent side garden centre tomato plant is the same price as a packet of tomato seeds, not as much sense of satisfaction but still an option.
P

[gardening_gal]

Thanks everyone. I think it might be prudent to buy at least a couple of plants. At least that way I will still be able to (hopefully!) grow something through to the end result which is of course to be able to eat the produce, even if my own sowings don't prove too successful.

Might try to pop out later today.

[wbmkk]

I just didn't have room because of the other things that were in there.

I sow a few varieties and simply start them off in small wee pots (3") Once they are up I then pot them on again ... also into 3" pots

So sowing a few varieties doesn't take up much space.

Go on !!! put a few more seeds in today ... you know you want to !