Tomato Seedlings - Is it too late?

[Plumed90]

Hi everyone,

I have neglected my tomato seedlings in a seed a tray (been in there for at least 6 weeks now!)

They are all at least 1st tall some bigger and varieties include mountain magic, sweet millions, sungold among others. I need to make a decision wether to destroy them or pot them on. I haven't got loads of space so I don't want to put them into pots in the garden unless they stand a good chance of producing.

Any advice would be much appreciated I'm in Essex btw.

Thanks!

[Jimmy]

I suggest you pinch them out to restrict to a couple of trusses.
Jimmy

[Penellype]

Mountain Magic and Sungold are strong growing, quick maturing varieties and you should get some fruit from them, unless you are unlucky and get blight (Mountain Magic is supposedly resistant). I don't know about Sweet Million as i haven't grown it, but being a cherry type you will probably get something. As long as the fruit get to a reasonable size they can be picked green to ripen indoors , or you could always make green tomato chutney.

I would select the strongest seedlings, pot them up in new compost, burying any straggly stem and make sure they get well watered and I think You will be surprised.

[Plumed90]

Brilliant thanks for the detailed response. Looks like i'll give them a chance and see what happens!

[sparrow100]

I've got some Crimson Crush armpits in a glass of water in the shed - I find the blight resistant ones will go right through to November where I am, though the skin gets a lot thicker in October. They will grow like the clappers when we get some decent warmth again.

[Potstubsdustbins]

When you pot them on, pot the roots very deep especially the Sungold. The stem above the roots and buried in compost will throw out fresh roots and you should end up with much stronger plants.

[Lardman]

When you pot them on, pot the roots very deep especially the Sungold. The stem above the roots and buried in compost will throw out fresh roots and you should end up with much stronger plants.

The disadvantage of that is in the short term at least, the plant grows roots rather than fruit. If you want a really quick but light crop put them in a 6" pot.

I think there's still plenty of season left though, as long as the blight stays away. I planted out some Shirley armpits over the weekend and will probably limit them to 3 trusses.

[Potstubsdustbins]

Those roots grow with ridiculous speed, with in a week to a fortnight you should be back to square one and it still is only June.

[Deano's "Diggin It"]

^^^^^^^And the reasoning why they grow so quickly is because they are fibre feeding roots, not main water seeking roots, the idea why tomatoes are planted deeper and hence "Ring Culture"

I'd "Bang em in" but bag em deep! You'll get a crop, although it may be a small one!