Seedlings not growing

[cjp1953]

My tomato seedlings are 4 weeks old and only 2 inches tall,This is the first time growing my plants,can I use some Tomato Miracle grow?If so how much should I mix in a gallon of water?

[Father'sDaughter]

A little more info will help .

What size pots are they in?
How many true leaves do they have?
What mix are they in?
What are the temps and light conditions?

My seedling usually start to take off after I transfer them from the small starter pots to a larger pot, which is also about the time they go to a warmer spot.

[cjp1953]

There in 4" cups,I called the garden center where I bought the soil mix and the person there thought the reason was because the soil was not warm enough.My basement is around 60-65 degrees and under the shop lights they are not getting enough heat.So I move the upstairs into a south window and where it's around 80 degrees.The soil mix has some fertilizer in it.Not sure if anyone has use this type.Baccto Light potting soil is the brand.

[KarenO]

warmth and light is what they need. fertilize when you plant them out. when is your planting date?
KarenO

[cjp1953]

Around the end of the month.Hoping to get some size on them and my sweet pepper plants.

[lexusnexus]

Concur with the others that 60-65 is too cold. The shop lights I've owned have been relatively cool when lit. I ended up buying grow lights (T5), and they do emit enough heat so that I didn't need to have any additional heat in our basement. Is there a way for you move a shop light(s) up to that window area where the temperature is warmer? Also, don't make the mistake of assuming the light coming through the window is sufficient to grow your seedlings (I did that one year much to my chagrin). For fertilization I'd use 1/4 - 1/6 normal strength for the first few weeks. And only once per week, not every watering. Are the cups drinking cups, or pots? If drinking cups are they like the solo cups you can buy at the store? When you said 4 inch I didn't know if you meant 4 inch tall cups.

Dan

[cjp1953]

Originally Posted by lexusnexus

Concur with the others that 60-65 is too cold. The shop lights I've owned have been relatively cool when lit. I ended up buying grow lights (T5), and they do emit enough heat so that I didn't need to have any additional heat in our basement. Is there a way for you move a shop light(s) up to that window area where the temperature is warmer? Also, don't make the mistake of assuming the light coming through the window is sufficient to grow your seedlings (I did that one year much to my chagrin). For fertilization I'd use 1/4 - 1/6 normal strength for the first few weeks. And only once per week, not every watering. Are the cups drinking cups, or pots? If drinking cups are they like the solo cups you can buy at the store? When you said 4 inch I didn't know if you meant 4 inch tall cups.

Dan

I thought about moving a light up there but need some type of stand to mount the light.The types are Black Krim,Black from Tula,Amish paste and Hillbilly.I agree that the light is not enough and will have to figure out something.Thank you everyone who responded.

[lexusnexus]

Originally Posted by cjp1953

I thought about moving a light up there but need some type of stand to mount the light.

I ended up buying 2 IV stands (the old types used in the hospital) and some chain and "S" hooks from Home Depot. That way I can use pretty much any table instead having to buy a special grow table which has mounting hardware for the light fixture. You can also put books or boxes under the ends of the lights so you wouldn't have to hang them from anything.

Dan

[cjp1953]

Originally Posted by lexusnexus

Concur with the others that 60-65 is too cold. The shop lights I've owned have been relatively cool when lit. I ended up buying grow lights (T5), and they do emit enough heat so that I didn't need to have any additional heat in our basement. Is there a way for you move a shop light(s) up to that window area where the temperature is warmer? Also, don't make the mistake of assuming the light coming through the window is sufficient to grow your seedlings (I did that one year much to my chagrin). For fertilization I'd use 1/4 - 1/6 normal strength for the first few weeks. And only once per week, not every watering. Are the cups drinking cups, or pots? If drinking cups are they like the solo cups you can buy at the store? When you said 4 inch I didn't know if you meant 4 inch tall cups.

Dan

Sorry I missed your post.The cups are solo 16oz. cups that are the same size as some peat pots that are 4 inches across but are deeper than the peat pots.They are in a warmer room that is around 80 degrees.But they are not doing very well.I now think that the bulbs I'm using are to old.They were used back when I had planted fish tanks.I save the bulbs that I changed ever 3 months.They must have lost their color spectrum.I going to buy new ones tomorrow and see if I can save some plants.I not planting until the end of the month.

[cjp1953]

I bought some daylight bulbs with a 6500K and put them on.I hope things improve as they look off their color.Almost a purple color.I might put some foil over the lights to improve the brightness.

[heirloomtomaguy]

What varieties are we talking about here. If they are dwarfs that sounds about normal.

[Father'sDaughter]

A chrome wire shelf unit and shop lights that hang from chains make great growing set-ups and both are available from Home Depot. The shelves are adjustable so you really have a lot of flexibility on light height as the seedling grow..

I hope you've seen some new growth after moving them to a warmer spot. Mine were up-potted about a week ago and because it's been so warm, I put them out in a little portable $20 greenhouse and they're growing like crazy.

[cjp1953]

I have not seen much growth,but will move a shop light up there and use books under the ends of the lights.I don't like the idea that the bulbs will be touching the books or whatever I use to hold it up but they don't give off any heat.

[cjp1953]

Shop light is over the plants upstairs where it's around 80 degrees.Hoping I can get good growth in 2 weeks.I hope to plant around the end of the month.

[luigiwu]

Mine grew reall slowly at the beginning too and then when I potted them up to 18oz cups (after a month), they took off. Having a fan on them (on and off) helps too imo.