How long will this take to improve?

tam91 · May 16, 2011

Due to various factors, my tomato plants are really too big - they want to be in the ground - a couple weeks ago. I will be planting them soon, maybe tomorrow, but here's my problem/question:

Many of them (conveniently the ones I was keeping for myself sigh) have gotten pale. I don't think they're really very yellow as such, and they do not look diseased. I believe most likely it is a lack of nutrients, as they are really too big for their containers. I did give them a foliar feed.

My question is, once I plant them, how long should it take for the leaf color to return to normal, if it is going to do so?

The reason I ask is, I do have spare plants that I intend to give away once I'm sure my own are going to be ok. So I'm wondering how long until I will be able to tell.

Unless, of course, you think that I might have a different problem.

Thanks

fortyonenorth · May 16, 2011

In my experience (and I've been in the same situation) they should show **some** improvement within a day or two. Within a week, they should look good.

b54red · May 16, 2011

If they are really too big for their containers I would go ahead and give them a dose of Miracle Grow now. Maybe two teaspoons to the gallon of water and give each container a good soaking. If they don't perk up in a couple of days then you may have some other problem. I sometimes have to hold a mess of seedlings way too long waiting for a space to plant them and I usually give them a little fertilizer every two weeks or so when they outgrow their containers just to keep them halfway healthy. Sometimes they get way too big and I have to repot them in something bigger. I try to avoid that chore as long as possible.

RayR · May 16, 2011

Yep, sounds like the plants are root bound too me. The roots have run out of room to grow and can't take up nutrients properly.

fortyonenorth · May 16, 2011

I misread your initial post, Tam. I agree with B54 - give them a shot of fert now or when you transplant tomorrow and they should perk-up within a few days. They'll need more than just fresh soil to recover quickly, though.

tam91 · May 16, 2011

Thanks. I did fertilize them (miracle grow). There are really too many to practically re-pot, so I'm just going to get them in their permanent homes asap.

If they aren't ok in a week, then I guess it'll be time to use up the replacements.

May 16, 2011	#1
tam91 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Crystal Lake IL Posts: 2,484	How long will this take to improve? Due to various factors, my tomato plants are really too big - they want to be in the ground - a couple weeks ago. I will be planting them soon, maybe tomorrow, but here's my problem/question: Many of them (conveniently the ones I was keeping for myself sigh) have gotten pale. I don't think they're really very yellow as such, and they do not look diseased. I believe most likely it is a lack of nutrients, as they are really too big for their containers. I did give them a foliar feed. My question is, once I plant them, how long should it take for the leaf color to return to normal, if it is going to do so? The reason I ask is, I do have spare plants that I intend to give away once I'm sure my own are going to be ok. So I'm wondering how long until I will be able to tell. Unless, of course, you think that I might have a different problem. Thanks __________________ Tracy

May 16, 2011	#6
tam91 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Crystal Lake IL Posts: 2,484	Thanks. I did fertilize them (miracle grow). There are really too many to practically re-pot, so I'm just going to get them in their permanent homes asap. If they aren't ok in a week, then I guess it'll be time to use up the replacements. __________________ Tracy

May 16, 2011	#2
fortyonenorth Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: NW Indiana Posts: 1,150	In my experience (and I've been in the same situation) they should show some improvement within a day or two. Within a week, they should look good.

May 16, 2011	#3
b54red Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Alabama Posts: 7,068	If they are really too big for their containers I would go ahead and give them a dose of Miracle Grow now. Maybe two teaspoons to the gallon of water and give each container a good soaking. If they don't perk up in a couple of days then you may have some other problem. I sometimes have to hold a mess of seedlings way too long waiting for a space to plant them and I usually give them a little fertilizer every two weeks or so when they outgrow their containers just to keep them halfway healthy. Sometimes they get way too big and I have to repot them in something bigger. I try to avoid that chore as long as possible.

May 16, 2011	#4
RayR Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Cheektowaga, NY Posts: 2,466	Yep, sounds like the plants are root bound too me. The roots have run out of room to grow and can't take up nutrients properly.