Seeds sprouted - Now what

[missysid]

Ok please have patience - I am just learning to start seeds indoors this year and have only had a garden outside for 2 seasons.

I am happy to report the 3 types of tomatoes seeds I planted are doing well with almost 90% growing. They sprouted about 9 days ago and are about an inch tall. The pepper plants are not growing as fast but finally sprouted about 2 days ago and are about 1/3 inch tall at the moment.

They are in a seed starting mix I got at the store and in tiny trays about the width of an ice-cream cone each. I removed the dome cover 2 days ago and left them under the grow light 24/7. I have water in the bottom of the pan so they can draw moisture from the bottom when the roots get tall enough and have been giving them water on top to keep the soil moist every day. The light seems to dry it out quickly. They get about 1/3 - 1/2 teaspoon each day from above. All are green and starting to get leaves.


Now for the questions:

1. When do I need to transplant them to a larger container?
2. Do I need to give the tomatoes fertizler?
3. Should I keep the grow light on them?

Again sorry for all of the questions today - honestly I was shocked to see them growing so well for me and want to make sure I keep them going. Thanks for your patience.

Mel - Zone 5 central IL

[kruizeag]

Originally Posted by missysid

1. When do I need to transplant them to a larger container?
2. Do I need to give the tomatoes fertizler?
3. Should I keep the grow light on them?

Mel - Zone 5 central IL

My advice:

#1- If youare growing them right now in a ice cream cone sized container, they will be fine in that until their leaves exceed the width of the container. If you plan to transplant to the garden plot, keep them in your container until you are ready for the garden. They should be fine. If you plan to keep them in a container all season, once the leaves exceed the container width, transplant into thier final container. No reason to transplant multiple times.

#2- Fertilizer requirements are based on the soil test. Your plants will tell you if they need something. If you plan to grow them all season in a container, then you will have to fertilize as the nutrients leach out faster in pots due to higher water needs etc.

#3- If they do not have 8hrs or more of sunlight, then keep the light on them for 6-10 hrs a day. Think about how the plants would grow in the summer months and how much sun time they would get that time of year. You are trying to replicate that season by growing them inside. 24/7 light is not natural in this part of the world.

Hope this helps and happy growing!

[Wolf mom]

Don't forget to harden your starts off before planting outside. Everything else sounds good, although usually soil will suck up enough water form the bottom without needing additional water from the top.
I have to restrain myself from overwatering as I've had damping off occur due to this.

[missysid]

Thank you both. I will adjust the light as indicated above and try the fan suggestion starting Monday I read about on here and see how it goes. We are still 8-10 weeks out before I can put them outside. We just had 3 inches of Snow on Sunday and they are calling for more on Saturday night.

Oh I wish spring would hurry up and find its way to our area

[mommagoose_99]

Sounds good but try to water from the bottom of the container.
Linda

[RVcook]

If you started more than one seed per cube, you will want to "thin" to one seedling that is the strongest. But do NOT pull out the others, just snip the tops off with a scissors. That way, the remaining plant will have lots of room for root development.

RVcook

[PrincessFerf]

Congratulations on your seedlings! (its exciting, isn't it?)

When the plants get a little bigger, I also put a fan on them to simulate wind and help strengthen their stems.

[Paquebot]

Originally Posted by missysid

Now for the questions:

1. When do I need to transplant them to a larger container?
2. Do I need to give the tomatoes fertizler?
3. Should I keep the grow light on them?

The k.i.s.s. method:
1. Late May, into the ground.
2. Assume potting mix to have enough.
3. 16 hours on, 8 hours off.

Martin