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Growing Tomatoes

tomato seedlings__potting up

14 years ago

I have a 32 cell tray of tomato seedlings, they have all sprouted now, and have their first set of *true* leaves. How many sets of true leaves should I wait before I have to pot-up? Each cell is 2 1/2" square. Plants are about 2" tall. They are under grow lights and a heat mat. I know one thing, they certainly love it there, they seem to be very happy campers...LOL

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Comments (5)

chris082004
14 years ago
I keep mine in those cells until I transplant outside. It works well for me. Transplanting my whole garden into more pots is a bit much. If you wanted to though you can do it in about a week!

Here is a link that might be useful: Home Gardening
erlyberd
14 years ago
After first det of true leaves I pot up to 4" pots but thats coming from starter pots. Your using larger pots to begin so you can afford to wait longer. Pot up before they become root bound and all will be well.

If you don't need the heat source shut it off now. You'll get better plants with cooler nightime temps.
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It looks as if it needs more light. At that height it should already have true leaves starting. Does it still have a cover over it? If so remove it. Give it more light and less heat. It appears to be growing etiolated. You could repot it (and plant it a bit deeper) but the main problem is stopping it getting any leggier. I'd take it out of that tray, which is set up for germination, and put it somewhere lighter and a little cooler.
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veryzer I don't know how much either one matters as long as there is sufficient room for root development, while some cramping of the roots themselves does not seem to cause problems at all. The majority of tomato roots develop naturally in a mostly horizontal direction, though if the taproot is left undisturbed, it will extend quite a way down. But apparently it doesn't have to do that to support a very healthy plant. When you plant a seedling out in the garden, you can provide for root space by trenching and burying the seedling horizontally up to its upper leaves OR by digging a deep hole and burying it vertically the same way. What you want to aim for is to provide for a substantial root system while the seedling is in your care. With a good root system, your plant in the garden will be able to thrive under more difficult conditions than with a scrawny set of roots. But tomatoes are like weeds -- past the seedling stage they stand a lot of abuse and still keep on producing.
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windclimber
14 years ago
Thats true m ,

Pot them up to a container (16 oz plastic cups work great). You want enough room for the roots to get BIG. Dark colored cups to keep light away from the roots, put them in in a very cool enviornment 50*-55* with your flou lights as close as possible (it won't even hurt if they touch the bulbs).

After two weeks move em to a bright window with your lights on them until the seasonal light gets longer and time to harden off.

You should have a stocky stemmed, incrediblely fibourous root systemed plant that should thrive outside.
digdirt2
14 years ago
Heat mat is for germination only. Once sprouted the heat mat is no longer needed and can cook the young roots.

You can actually pot-up at any time - many of us do it at the cotyledon stage - but the norm is 2 sets of true leaves because they are easier to handle then. Your 2 1/2 inch cells may be good for a couple of sets of true leaves or you can transplant them now - either way. Time for a mild dilute feeding if there is nothing in the mix.

Dave
mvisland
Original Author
14 years ago
Thank you everybody for the replies___:>) I will get my tomato seedlings off the heat mat now, and just use the grow lights....thanks again...I love it here, you peeps are a forum of gardening knowledge___:>)

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