Help! Leggy tomato seedlings

[SaraJH]

I think that some of my seedlings are getting too leggy, they obviously need more light.

I'm nervous about putting them in the garden during the day as they might get too cold, and I'm nervous about putting them in the greenhouse as it gets blooming hot in there during the day!

What would be my best strategy for trying to prevent them getting even more leggy?

Thanks!

[Cadalot]

Go with the flow and when you pot them on plant them deep and all the little hairs on the stalk will become roots - that's the beauty of tomatoes

[SaraJH]

Thanks Cadalot, that's good to know!

[jackarmy]

If your nervous about it Sara, trust your heart.
Bury them up to the seed leaves though and if your nervous about the gh being too hot, just place them down low .

[Potstubsdustbins]

These pics might give you a better idea of 'potting on' deep. Obviously these were taken later in the season when the plants had some growth on them.

I would pot on up to the first real leaves, you can either remove the seed leaves or just bury them t'will make no difference.

If they go legging again just repeat the process, done carefully this will encourage root growth and you will end up with a stronger plant.

[lottie dolly]

Now i have just had a thought,on potting into a deeper pot,and it needs still more potting on before they get planted,surly it will have roots as deep as the pot,sooooo,it should be no detriment to the plant if the roots were chopped shorter,thus enabling it to be potted on without having to get some really deep pots,as most people know,a tomato and cue cumber plants will sprout roots when put into water for a while,if either brake off or side shoots,correct me if am wrong,

[jackarmy]

Sounds logical to me, i wouldnt try it untill you said it works though

[Scarlet]

Throw your nerves out the window, stick your toms in the greenhouse during the day - it's not too hot and bring them indoors at night.

[Potstubsdustbins]

I am not so sure about cutting off good roots, I would prefer to keep them if possible.

However as the pics show toms & cumbers will certainly throw roots if put through the milk bottle and make good plants.

The first two are Tumbler the second two are cumber.

[Scarlet]

These pics might give you a better idea of 'potting on' deep

I would give my right arm for those pots

[Potstubsdustbins]

I was gifted them by my gardening buddy. have tried to get more but failed.

The only clue I can give is that he obtained them when he was a member of the palm society.

[Frana]

I have had this happen in the past. I Re-potted them up to bottom leaves in a bigger pot and re-housed them in the greenhouse once they grew a bit taller and developed a thicker stem.

I then folded a grow bag in half, cut it into two and stood each half upright, effectively making two large pots of compost and planted them again -one plant in each, (I cut a few slits in the sides at the bottom for drainage).

Please bare in mind I am certainly no expert...but I did get a good crop (I was growing Sweet Aperitif at the time).