Tomato seeds, warm/cold

[Dorothy rouse]

Just a quick piece of advice please. I sowed different tomato seeds last week in unheated propagator, that was then placed inside plastic 'thingy', since then it seems to have got colder, so have just brought them into the house, should I put them in unheated or heated spare room? Or have I killed them? I'm thinking unheated room?

Thanks.

[Kristen]

If they have not germinated I would give them "warmer" until they do ... then maximum light and minimum 10C to prevent them getting cold-stressed.

[veggiechicken]

I sow mine indoors, somewhere warm. Near radiator/ airing cupboard/ heated propagator.

[Scarlet]

I think it's much to cold to germinate tomatoes outside in March. It was lovely and warm here yesterday but the morning started off with a frost.
Tomatoes need consistent even temperature, even on a warm windowsill indoors germination can be erratic due to the cold spell and draught during the night.
I always sow mine in a heated propagator.
Best to keep them in a heated room, or airing cupboard, near a radiator etc.

[rustylady]

Tomato seeds need warmth to germinate

[Dorothy rouse]

Thanks, they are now in 'warmer room', if they don't germinate I few days, I'll throw and start again.

[Guest]

Thanks, they are now in 'warmer room', if they don't germinate I few days, I'll throw and start again.

Give them longer now they are in the warm, as being in the cold may slow the germination down. As opposed to being in the warmth straight away

Edit: Not sure me point made sense. Going from cold to warm may have an adverse effect on germination rate i.e. take even longer

[raine]

What do you do when they have germinated and you have potted them on? Can they go outside in a grow house or should they stay in the warm?

[Scarlet]

When toms have germinated and are potted up they need good light and warmth to grow. My young plants will stay indoors on a windowsill until mid May or when nighttime temperatures are 10degrees or above. Any less than this and the plant will suffer. If you have a greenhouse you can put them in there for the day but if the forecast say the temperature will drop below 10 bring them back indoors. Last year the weather was good and mine were out early, every year is different - check the weather forecasts daily and act accordingly.

[Kristen]

What do you do when they have germinated and you have potted them on? Can they go outside in a grow house or should they stay in the warm?

The warmer they are the better / stronger the light they need. If they are on a windowsill then cooler would be better, if they are too warm (and light on windowsill is nothing like as good as a greenhouse, even South facing) they will grow leggy.

Either way, minimum 10C for tender things like Toms, Cues, Peppers, Aubergines. Melon or they will become cold-stressed (assuming they don't actually die from the cold ...)

[raine]

Thankyou very much- think I'd better get myself a thermometer then!