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Growing Tomatoes

My tomato seedlings are growing slowly.

ApacheRosePea00

8 years ago

So I planted Memorial Day. I buried my tomatoes deep and they have only come up a few inches so far. Is this normal? Or should they be coming up faster? This is my first year so I am not sure what to expect.

They are indeterminate cherry varieties...specifically Snow White, Sungold, and Black Cherry. If this is not normal, is there anything I should be on the look out for or anyway to help the tomatoes along? All help appreciated!

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Comments (5)

Bets
8 years ago
Your babies have been in the ground just about a week, so the growth you are seeing is normal. They go through a period of adaptation, then they will take off if your weather is warm enough. (They will "stall" when temps are cool.)

Relax. You are about to be overwhelmed by cherry tomatoes!

Betsy
ApacheRosePea00
Original Author
8 years ago
This was my first thought too. We've had cooler temps through the nights. I just wanted to be certain because they are dinky compared to all the peppers.

Overwhelmed? I am prepared! I built a trellis out of electrical conduit and even made my own netting! By the end of the season, I will need a ladder just to harvest tomatoes...
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Wow, nice temperatures! But yes, they need something. Most likely fertilizer. For just-germinated seedlings, I'd use a diluted version of what is recommended on the fertilizer package, but once they're past the cotyledon stage, you can probably lean toward full strength. You need to just keep the soil moist a half an inch or so down. Water with that fertilizer as often as you need to keep it so. Yes, it's amusing how potting and starting soil vendors use encouraging words without using the right ones. Makes it sound like everything you need is in this bag! The soil you got ensures high performance and reliability with regard to soil structure, and as such is ideal for containers. But oh yeah, you have to add some food. I really think those words, which all potting soil vendors use in one way or another, is deceptive labeling. One might wonder why such soils don't just include some fertilizer. I suspect the reason is that it would have to be a slow release version, and they'd have to admit that, eventually, it would leach out and need to be supplemented.
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sheltieche
8 years ago
What is your soil like... do plants look green and healthy beyond not growing... are the getting lots of sun i.e. location good...
it is normal for tomato to sit in cold weather unless you warm the soil before.
Picture are always good.
ApacheRosePea00
Original Author
8 years ago
My soil is roughly 1/3 compost, 1/3 peat moss, and 1/3 vermiculite in a 14-16" raised bed. The native clay soils here are the reason for that. Good location and at least 8-10 hours of sun per day. The plants are green though I did lose one. I am under the assumption a critter found it because the soil looked disturbed and not much was left other than the roots. The rest appear to be taking their sweet old time. Temps at night have been 50s and maybe lower. I love the way everyone wants to help here! So cool for a newbie like me to learn!

Edit: Is there a simple fix I can do to keep temps up over my plants overnight? Like using gallon jugs that are halved or something? Temps here at night are looking to stay about 60 for the next ten days.

This post was edited by ApacheRosePea00 on Sun, Jun 1, 14 at 19:25
2ajsmama
8 years ago
60 is fine.

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