Hello everyone. I started some "cupid" tomato plants about 4 weeks ago. They started out OK, but quickly went too long (4"-6") and spindly. I've never started from seed before and don't know if this is normal or not. I used a "bio-dome" to start them and followed all directions.

Someone suggested using a fan to "harden" them, haven't tried it yet 'cause I'm a bit worried about them breaking off.

Thanks in advance for any advice!!

Shawn

I have light on them (window during the day and flourescent at night) atleast 14 hrs a day. I also have some different peppers starting in the same dome and they look absolutely fantastic.

I am at a complete loss. I'm shooting for transplanting the first week of May, so I am hoping they will be ready.

Thanks

Shawn

Shawn, The stem of the tomato plant has the ability to root anywheres along it....
Either push up some dirt around the spindly stems,
or gennnnnnnnnntly squeeze it out of it's little container, and repot...
If the first set of leaves are there, and also a second set of leaves... snip off the first set of leaves, and bury almost up to the next set of leaves.. *how ever high up you're comfortable with*

How many plants do you have??
Experiment on one, push the dirt..
Next one, repot...

And see how it works for you.. and how either one is easier for you....

Tomatoes are veryyy hardy...

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Weezie

Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have
done this have entertained angels without realizing it.
- Bible - Hebrews 13:2





http://photobucket.com/albums/y250/weezie13/

How about tickling them? Sounds funny, but I just read this:

"To avoid that long leggy look (good for fashion models; bad for tomato starts) in your seedlings, try tickling young tomato plants. Brush tomato seedlings with your fingertips for 90 seconds twice a day and you'll get plants that are 25-35% shorter than unbrushed plants. According to studies at the University of Georgia, the resulting seedlings are sturdier and transplant better than spindly, leggy ones. Just dont brush your seedlings when they're wet because you can injure the leaves."

from Gardener to Gardener, a Rodale Organic Gardening Book

Im going to try it when my tomatoes are sprouted!

Karen

Please keep up posted Shawn, we love to hear updates ,
good or bad the outcome..
That's how we allllllllll learn ....

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Weezie

Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have
done this have entertained angels without realizing it.
- Bible - Hebrews 13:2





http://photobucket.com/albums/y250/weezie13/

How's the tomato seedlings' comin' along, Shawn??

* * * *
Weezie

Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have
done this have entertained angels without realizing it.
- Bible - Hebrews 13:2





http://photobucket.com/albums/y250/weezie13/

I loved to "tickle" my tiny tim tomato seedlings for the smell. It was ohhhhhhhhhh, can't describe it, but I loved the smell.
Now that I've transplanted my bunch into separate containers I can't get the smell any more. Will wait until they're older and try again.

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For this "New Year" help me to be kinder and more loving to all around me, I pray.

Shawn, leggy tomato plants should be buried up to the second or third set of leaves from the top of the plant. If they're more than a foot tall, dig a trench rather then a deep hole to bury the stem in.

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John - Zone 6