Seed germination question.

Lorri D · April 1, 2012

I started lots of tomato seedlings in flats that can't be separated. Now, half are sprouted and half aren't. They are at day 4 now.

Should I put a fan on all of them now. Or, wait for more of the un-sprouted ones to come up?

I am afraid that the first ones up will get leggy, if I don't put a fan on them and lower the temperature, but I need the rest to sprout too.

Thank you for any help/suggestions.

kath · April 1, 2012

Not sure exactly what your set up is like, but the sprouted ones need light as soon as they emerge. The unsprouted ones will still come up under lights. That's more than a fan at this point. The temp doesn't need to be lowered yet either, except the sprouted ones shouldn't be on an extremely warm heat mat. The un-sprouted ones will emerge better with some gentle heat and some humidity will help prevent helmet heads and keep the soil surface from drying out.

Ruth_10 · April 2, 2012

Agree with Kath. The ones that have sprouted need some light. The ones that haven't sprouted will need some moisture, perhaps from a spritzing water bottle, to keep the potting soil moist. You probably don't need a fan yet.

I use 3 oz. plastic cups (with several drainage holes drilled in the bottom) for starting seeds. I'll start anywhere from 3-10 seeds in a single cup (always a single variety of seed). That gives me flexibility in moving seeds from the incubator to under the lights. Since I have only one variety per cup, most of them will pop up at the same time in that particular cup.

If they don't, I'll still put the cup under the lights, but invert a clear plastic tub or drinking glass over the seedling cup to allow light for the ones that are up, but still keep in the moisture for those that aren't.

RebelRidin · April 2, 2012

I agree with Kath (and Ruth) as well. Those seedlings will need light. They will seek it out. If it is not close they will struggle and reeeeaaaach for it....

You don't need a fan drying out your media either. Since you probably don't have a cover on to retain the moisture at this point a couple times a day will likely help too.

I also prefer to start seperately in smaller containers whenever I can.

April 1, 2012	#1
Lorri D Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: NorthWest Posts: 267	Seed germination question. I started lots of tomato seedlings in flats that can't be separated. Now, half are sprouted and half aren't. They are at day 4 now. Should I put a fan on all of them now. Or, wait for more of the un-sprouted ones to come up? I am afraid that the first ones up will get leggy, if I don't put a fan on them and lower the temperature, but I need the rest to sprout too. Thank you for any help/suggestions.

April 2, 2012	#3
Ruth_10 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: MO z6a near St. Louis Posts: 1,349	Agree with Kath. The ones that have sprouted need some light. The ones that haven't sprouted will need some moisture, perhaps from a spritzing water bottle, to keep the potting soil moist. You probably don't need a fan yet. I use 3 oz. plastic cups (with several drainage holes drilled in the bottom) for starting seeds. I'll start anywhere from 3-10 seeds in a single cup (always a single variety of seed). That gives me flexibility in moving seeds from the incubator to under the lights. Since I have only one variety per cup, most of them will pop up at the same time in that particular cup. If they don't, I'll still put the cup under the lights, but invert a clear plastic tub or drinking glass over the seedling cup to allow light for the ones that are up, but still keep in the moisture for those that aren't. __________________ --Ruth Some say the glass half-full. Others say the glass is half-empty. To an engineer, it’s twice as big as it needs to be.

April 2, 2012	#4
RebelRidin Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Maryland's Eastern Shore Posts: 993	I agree with Kath (and Ruth) as well. Those seedlings will need light. They will seek it out. If it is not close they will struggle and reeeeaaaach for it.... You don't need a fan drying out your media either. Since you probably don't have a cover on to retain the moisture at this point a couple times a day will likely help too. I also prefer to start seperately in smaller containers whenever I can. __________________ George _____________________________ "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is it’s natural manure." Thomas Jefferson, 1787

April 1, 2012	#2
kath Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: zone 6b, PA Posts: 5,664	Not sure exactly what your set up is like, but the sprouted ones need light as soon as they emerge. The unsprouted ones will still come up under lights. That's more than a fan at this point. The temp doesn't need to be lowered yet either, except the sprouted ones shouldn't be on an extremely warm heat mat. The un-sprouted ones will emerge better with some gentle heat and some humidity will help prevent helmet heads and keep the soil surface from drying out.