discolored, stunted tomato seedlings

16 years ago

Please help me identify and rectify the problem with the stunted tomato seedlings shown in these photos. The green, healthy seedlings were transplanted to a cheap potting soil mixture (I ran out of the better stuff); the purplish-yellow-leafed seedlings were put in Scott's potting soil, which I just noted has extra phosphorous. The yellowing and slowed growth began even before these seedlings were put outside. The cheap pots grew fast and furious, while the others languished! I'd be grateful for any tips, as they need to be put into pots very soon and I'm worried about using the bags of (better) potting soil I've already purchased.

Here is a link that might be useful:

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (9)

containergrower1
Original Author
16 years ago
P.S: having trouble posting the photos. Please see these links:

Here is a link that might be useful:
jean001
16 years ago
Please try again with the photos.
Related Discussions
Seedlings in trouble!!!!! Stunted growth, tiny, yellow...
Q
Comments (12)
The Real Problem is this: The Proof On The Ground In the forests of Northern California, bark is literally being scorched from trees. On many specimens, only a thin strip of bark remains on the shaded side of the tree. Foliage is being scorched with many trees having only a fraction of their normal leaf cover. Many native species of plants are not even sprouting any more. The organisms that do still manage to grow appear miniaturized in some cases. What are just some of the results of excessive UV exposure to plants? Can stop sprouting of seeds, Stunts growth, Limb die off, Reduced foliage, DNA damage, Changes nutrient distribution, Mutatins, Effects photosynthesis Greatly increased mortality SOME known effects of excessive UV exposure to aquatic life: All aquatic life is particularly vulnerable to high UV levels. Phytoplankton accounts for some 30% of the worlds' intake of animal protein. Phytoplankton and the microorganisms they consume are killed by excessive UV levels. (Global plankton populations have already been reduced by 40% to 50%. Much of the die off is likely due to increased UV radiation.) Less plankton = less carbon-dioxide absorption. Less plankton = less oxygen production. (Atmospheric oxygen content around the globe declining rapidly) Less plankton = less fish. Period. Continue: http://globalmarchagainstchemtrailsandgeoengineering.com/ Also view the evidence videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvtD_dizuDE and this one too: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48J6F4PLOlU Contact your local news channel and newspaper. Don't contact the government, they have the canned answers anyway. Here is a link that might be useful: Global March Against Chemtrails and Geo-Engineering
...See More
Stunted seedlings from greenhouse
Q
Comments (12)
I think I woiuld try planting in something different as a test. I'm not sure what the "72 cell peat sheets and seed starter soil" are but try something else---put some seeds in a pot and use another type of "dirt". Make sure they can drain out the bottom. What about your water? High chlorine content? Try buying some bottled water in jugs as a test. Test the pH. As for your questions: 1. No, but don't keep the dirt soggy. More damage is done w/ too much water than not enough. The latter is easier to fix. 2. We normally don't use any fertilizer until the plants have their second set of leaves. 3 The temp would be fine but you NEED to have good air circulation!!!!! Your plants are only 1" tall after TWO MONTHS? Why don't you get some really fast growing plants like cucumber or squash for testing. They'll usually pop up in a few days and grow rapidly. Below is a good site for damping off information for anyone interested. Good luck. Sorry you're having problems; its discouraging for someone just starting out to have problems. Remember too that different seeds require different ways to get started [cover or not, keep dry or moist, etc]. A VERY good book on flower production is the BALL REDBOOK of Crop Production. Its a pretty expensive book but you might find one at a used bookstore. It does not cover veggies. Regards, Tom Here is a link that might be useful: Damping off
...See More
Stunted Veggie Seedlings
Q
Comments (9)
Hi BocaBrian The community gardens that I help sometimes planted on free compost, I suggested that they put some black cow and fertilizers. They also planted them too close and it was too hot but they still got some veggies going. To add any amendments you should have the soil tested with the Extension office around your area and after that plant again. I find that it is easier to start over than heal sick plants. Find good quality transplants that look free of disease and bugs and put fresh seeds for the other veggies. Pull out any plant that looks diseased, add more organic material. For beets, radish, carrots you need a soil that has no rocks or big pieces of wood like I see in the picture. There are organic liquid fertilizers in the market or maybe you can get some compost tea. Seedlings have to be kept moist not wet. Inspect daily for bugs. If your other crops are doing well, then the compost is fine but they are warm season crops and they would not be affected but the high temperatures. Wish you the best with your new garden! Silvia
...See More
Are my seedlings stunted?
Q
Comments (1)
no but isnt it time to plant out ? they will take off then
...See More
containergrower1
Original Author
16 years ago
Having trouble getting the photos to post. Please see this link -- http://s196.photobucket.com/albums/aa319/lhc31/
thanks v. much!
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
16 years ago
looks like they have used up that little soil they are in ...

have you been fertilizing... 1/4 tspn of liquid fert in a gal of water would be a good start ...

but frankly ... you should be frost free within about 72 hours.. arent you really close in zone 5 like my zone 5 ...

i would take half of them.. harden them off to the sun for the next few days.. and get them in the ground... and fert them ... and i wouldnt be surprised if they just didnt take off ... if we kill them.. we always have the other half ... lol

if it were me.. i would have 'potted' up your seedlings about a month ago .... they look too big for the little cell pack ...

good luck

ken

ps: copy the middle HTML TAG line at photobucket.. and paste it into the post.. and the picture will be seen upon hitting preview.. if you see it ... we will ..
containergrower1
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks for your reply ken. Odd thing is that half of the seedlings (in the bad soil) were bright green and lush. Potted them yesterday, so keeping fingers crossed!

Re photos: I saw them on the preview but not the final post -- malfunction on that day?
botanybob
16 years ago
The discolored seedlings are very nutrient deficient. Tomatoes grow fast and can be heavy feeders. I'm sure they are short of nitrogen and probably some other things as well. Getting them on a steady diet of a complete fertilizer, as Ken suggests, is a good idea. When plants are that deficient, I would suggest a higher rate than 1/4 tsp/gallon. The rate depends on the fert. you are using, and I would be inclined to use the higher recommended rate until the deficiency is corrected, then back it off. Miracle Gro recommends 1 Tbsp./gallon for vegetables.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
16 years ago
i stated 1/4 tspn per gal as an everyday feeding ... of course a bit more now ...

second.. the lesson you should take from all this.. you started too early .. and now they are too gangly and need food.. next year.. start them a few weeks later so they wont be quite so large at frost free date ... try starting them at 2 week intervals.. and take notes .. so you get the plant you want at the right time ...

also .. you might want to figure out how to increase winter light.. try growing them under lights .... a stronger shorter stockier plant will be more vigorous...

and plan on potting them up at least once... 4 or 6 weeks after they sprout.. gently pull one out of the cell pack .. if root bound.. time to pot up ..

finally .... i hope you know how to plant them .. strip all leaves off and plant it so it is barely out of the ground .... tomatoes will root along the entire stem ... and take off like rockets ...

ken
Kimmsr
16 years ago
I transplanted my tomatoes from the "potting soil" mixture the seeds were started in, when the seedlings were 4 inches tall, into compost and the plants are very dark green and in the week they have been there they have grown to at least double the size. Yours are showing gross signs of nutrient deficiencies and need to be planted in a good healthy soil.
containergrower1
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks very much! I've potted and fed them, but will increase the feeding.

Do you recommend putting compost or well-rotted manure in pots for container cultivation? I've heard that this is not advisable because the containers are closed environments?

discolored, stunted tomato seedlings

Comments (9)

containergrower1
Original Author

jean001

Related Discussions

containergrower1
Original Author

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5

containergrower1
Original Author

botanybob

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5

Kimmsr

containergrower1
Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

discolored, stunted tomato seedlings

Comments (9)

containergrower1Original Author

jean001

Related Discussions

containergrower1Original Author

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5

containergrower1Original Author

botanybob

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5

Kimmsr

containergrower1Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

containergrower1
Original Author

containergrower1
Original Author

containergrower1
Original Author

containergrower1
Original Author