My glorious first born tomato seedlings spent their first day outside with their vented covering. At least three more germinated with the good outdoor sunshine and heat. I planted two seeds per hole and there are 2-3 in which both seeds sprouted.
Questions:
1. Assuming that I can, at what point should I consider removing one of the sprouts in the double sprouted cells and repotting it. Can it even be done? I'm worried to wait too long to where the roots will entangle.
2. Is legginess (sp?) really an issue with tomato transplants since you repot/replant them deeply each time?
Thank you for helping me learn!
We try to repot ours after the plants get their second set of leaves but you can take your time as they should still pull apart fairly well as long as they are not allowed to get too big and the roots don't start growing out th ebottom of the cell.
ReplyDeleteSometimes we end up with a few leggy seedlings due to light issues but in the end they still seem to grow and produce just as well. Like you said, just plant them a little deeper.
You have a beautiful dog there.:) Greyhound?
I split mine up when they are tiny little things. Watering them well before removal will allow you to remove them without breaking the tap root. Only hold them by their tiny leaves - not the stem.
ReplyDeleteLeggy plants usually mean not enough light, but you can plant them using the trench method if they make it to transplant size.
If you try separating the two seedlings you risk damaging the tap root. You are better off pinching off the weaker of the two. Once you have a set or two of true leafs you can then repot the tomatoes.
ReplyDeleteGood questions, Ribbit. I'm having the same problem with tomato legginess, and a concern over tangled roots with double potted plants. I think I may have started them too early, and I trimmed the biggest leaves today to try keeping them under my lights (wondering if this was a good thing to do), but I am debating just restarting my tomatoes...
ReplyDeleteIt's always best to keep them as compact as possible, just for health reasons, I think. You could probably separate and repot at almost any time. Seriously. Tomatoes are tough, even though we baby them.
ReplyDeleteI wish I had the answers for you but this is my first year growing tomatoes from seed as well. I was going to prick any extra seedlings that emerged and transfer them to there own cell but in the end, I snipped them off simply because I didn't want to chance damaging the leader.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure legginess is never a good thing since it may weaken the plant's growth, but I'm guessing it's less of an issue with Tomatoes since you'll be sniping off the below couple branches before transplanting. That's just what I think.
Thank you guys for your advice. I may try pulling one or two to transplant to see if I can do it, but then scrapping it if it doesn't work.
ReplyDeleteMr. H, the dog is a Great Dane. He's a good puppy....when he's not eating tomato seedlings or collards, or digging in the beds.
I usually separate them after they get their first set of true leaves, I just pulled some apart this morning! Good luck, can't wait to see those tomatoes!
ReplyDeleteUse sharp scissors to nip off the weakest seedling this way you will not harm the roots.
ReplyDeleteThey're getting leggy b/c they don't have enough light. Tomatoes aren't as big of a deal since they'll sprout roots as soon as you bury the leggy stem, but it's still better to try to avoid it. They'll be healthier. I use a desk lamp with a CFL bulb for mine. Never had a problem w/ legginess. As for the double potted, you're better off snipping off the weaker plant at the base with scissors than trying to seperate them and risk damaging them both (1 strong seedling is much better than 2 weak ones)
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that you posted this question and have such a nice group of people to give you answers. I've just started my own seed starting, raised bed, veggie growing experiment this year. Your question was timely. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI split mine up with a narrow knife. I just stick it in between them and pop one out.
ReplyDeleteLeslie, what I've found so wonderful is that whereas people may disagree, they're all right for what has worked for them in the past. I think I'll try dividing them for two of the cells that are double seeded, but snip the others. I don't have room to plant the newly transplanted ones if they work, but I'd like to try it just to say I did.
ReplyDeleteNever take gardening advice from me.... but I always get some scissors and cut off the smaller seedling. I'm too afraid to screw up both of them by trying to untangle them. So one gets killed - but it's for the greater good. LOL. I have plant guilt when i do it though...
ReplyDeleteYou can transplant seedlings as soon as they are large enough to handle. Just hold them by the seed leaves and never by the stem.
ReplyDeleteThey get leggy because there is not enough daylight.