Assuming proper air and soil temps and sufficient light exposure, you see them within the next 3-4 days.

Dave

Ok Thanks!

I will keep an eye on them

This site is showing they still don't have any thing even by day 15
http://www.reneesgarden.com/articles/grow-tomato.htm

HUM ?????

Day 15 - Seedlings are still tiny with just baby cotyledon leaves, but growing well. Note the nice green color of the baby leaves. This indicates that plants are getting enough bright light to thrive.

Day 30 - The first set of "true" tomato leaves begin to appear above the baby cotyledon leaves. The best example of this is in front of the pencil eraser in this picture.

HUM ????? Why so long... How the heck do you grow tomatoes where some folks have a short growing season..

They aren't on a clock, Bob. They don't punch time cards. ;) Like I said above - "assuming proper soil and air temps and adequate light..." So watch yours and take notes and then you'll know how soon it happens given the conditions you have provided for them. ;)

Since most of us start our plants no more than 6-8 weeks before transplanting date I would be worried about plants that still had no true leaves after 30 days and were supposed to go in the ground in 2 weeks!

But that is just the experience of that one person - whomever they are. We have no way of knowing what starting mix she used, how fresh her seeds were, how she germinated them, how she watered, whether she heated the soil or not, whether she had transplanted them yet or not, air temps, light provided, etc. etc. etc. So all I can offer is that based on my experience, something she had or had not done resulted in slow growing seedlings.

Dave

LOL Dave

Now you know why I have so many questions..
about the time line (looking at 30 days)

heck a lot of packages says harvest 90 - 100 days..
so if it takes 30 days to get just true leaves
what is wrong with this picture.. that is 1/3 growth time..
????????

I at least want to get to the point of the size you see in the store during springs,, for comparison...
I want to know how old those plants where that I bought to late last year,,,

Those timelines that are put out are normally referred to as DTM - Days to Maturity. But here's the catch.

That's for Mature Transplants. In other words, you take whatever time is required to grow your seeds to the state of a mature transplant (such as those seen at plant selling places). Generally, that transplant is at least 6 inches tall and has several regular leaves. When it's tall enough and hardy enough, and you set it out into the garden, then the DTM clock starts running.

Ted