That's a good question. I have two different kinds of seed starting trays. Both say to leave them in the trays for 6-8 weeks so you should be okay. I am new to seed starting and just repeating what I've read through thread searches. I think the growth slows down a bit after the first jolt of growth. At a certain point, I would think it okay to turn off the heating pads. Tomatoes can survive as low as 50F, so unless it gets colder than that, I would turn it off. This might also "slow" the growth a bit. I live in Houston so as soon as mine are ready, I can safely put them in their pots. I don't grow in ground here. The soil stinks, and as a teacher, I can't find time to work the soil when it needs to be worked.=0( Good luck!

Right now I have the wind part covered with the fan on them. Nope. ;) Having had a fan on them isn't the same has exposing them to wind outside. Hardening off plants is a gradual process, done over at least a week for a slowly increased # of hours a day, out of the direct sun for the first few days and sheltered from winds. Keep in mind that the wind can even kill semi-established plants in the garden. I'm going from 24hr/day artificial light to 14+(?) hrs/day daylight. If you are still 1 month from plant out it's too soon to harden off anyway. Don't rush things now and risk all your hard work. ;) Cut your light timer to 12/12 for a week or so and any that will soon be too big for their current container, transplant now. That way they have some adjustment/recovery time before you harden them off. Good luck. ;) Dave

Too late to segregate, Seysonn. The seeds are saved mixed from multiple fruits. I saw bumble bees going from flower to flower in the garden, so that's why I felt there would be cross pollination. I could grow maybe 2 or three trial plants, but I want different varieties and don't have much room. Your suggestion on preventing cross-pollination sounds like just the thing if one of the trial plants shows the desired characteristics. Although I have been growing backyard tomatoes for decades, I am really new at seed saving and have no experience whatsoever in developing a variety. I have easily 100 surplus seeds, so I could farm them out if people here feel they would like a few to help the endeavor.

I personally would wait until it is bigger and then eat the thinnings. It grows so fast and bolts so quick it's not really worth transplanting or thinning. Just harvest as soon as it's big enough to pick.