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Growing Tomatoes

stunted seedlings-worth planting?

14 years ago

I severely abused some of my seedlings, mainly due to having had a house fire this winter which caused me to move into an RV. Because of this, some of my seedlings got neglected/almost forgotten. They were kept in their "egg cartons" without transplanting for a very long time.

Many of these neglected ones appear severely stunted. In addition, when I finally got them transplanted, they were accidently watered with a strong solution of Miracle Grow, which caused a great deal of death and some fertilizer burn on the survivors.

I hate to just toss all these poor little survivors. I've planted many of them just this week and I'm wondering if it's worth it, as they are so much smaller than my other, not so neglected plants.

Any idea what will happen to these little ones?

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Comments (6)

trudi_d
14 years ago
Don't toss them out Tracy, they are survivors just like you. I'm so sorry to hear of the fire, that's an awful, life-changing event. You're in zone nine with a long growing season. I will suggest puting them into large planters in part shade and give them the TLC they deserve. They may stay a bit smaller in size, and they may have less fruit, however the seeds you save from those tomatoes won't have changed genetics and the next generation will grow true to size. Even if it's just for the emotional satisfaction, you've got to give these little plants a chance to grow and fruit. In a way, they're a metaphor for what's going on in your life. You survived and so should they too.

T
bcskye
14 years ago
Definitely nuture these little seedlings along. If they had the strength to survive all they did, they should be allowed to grow on. Like trudi d said, they are survivors just like you. Don't kill them after all they've been through.

I'm sorry that you had to go through a fire. We had one many years ago and it is so heartbreaking. Hopefully everything will turn out good for you and you didn't lose the important things, family, pets, pictures and special momentoes.
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erlyberd
14 years ago
I'd start some new ones for back up. I'd save a few of the survivers just to see what happens but why waste a whole season on inferior plants. You know.
cyrus_gardner
14 years ago
As suggested, start some new ones and also take care of those
surivors. To me, it is a symbolic thing to lift our spirit that we
can bounce back after facing difficulties.
tracydr
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks everyone. I've planted the survivors and started some new ones of those varieties. Thankfully, there were enough non-stunted seedlings that I still have plenty, although I may be making a lot of Beam's Yellow Pear sauce, LOL!
Want to let everyone know that we're rebuilding and should be back into the house in a couple of months. No loss of pets or people, thank god!
tracydr
Original Author
14 years ago
My stunted seedlings are all growing. Still much smaller than the non-stunted ones but they look really healthy. Boy, the dwarf varieties are so tiny!
I have some replacements planted for the varieties that I lost completely. Luckily, that wasn't many. For some reason, Matt's Wild Cherry and San Marzano R. just didn't want to live. Maybe they are less cold tolerant? I've grown these outdoors since January so they've really been exposed to some cold weather.

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