When to Transplant (and fertilize)

tam91 · March 19, 2011

My little tomato seedlings seem happy and healthy. I planted them in row flats on 3/2, and most emerged by 3/7.

What I'm wondering is - when to transplant them to 4" pots?

On the dense planting thread, it says about a month. But mine have good-sized true leaves already.

Any suggestions on how to decide when it's time to transplant?

Also, I haven't fertilized them yet. I was thinking of using Miracle Grow diluted (1/2 or 1/4 strength?) - soon? After transplant? ....?

rxkeith · March 19, 2011

if they have good size first true leaves, then they are big enough to easily transplant.
as far as fertilizing goes, i rarely do it, unless it looks like they are really needing it, and then i will use 1/4 strength solution. you can over do it with fertilizing and end up with large gangly plants when starting them in doors especially when inside temps start climbing in the 70s. the best my plants have looked was when i had them growing in my cool calumet basement where the temp was usually in the low to mid 60s. slow steady growth is what you want.

keith

cleo88 · March 24, 2011

I second everything Keith said.

Potting up when you have the first true set of leaves beyond the "cot" leaves always seems to energize my little guys. I use Miracle Grow Seed Starting mix for both the initial sowing and the first potting up, so I usually don't have to fertilize, although one year I did do the quarter strength at one point.

bohica · March 25, 2011

I start mine in 4 inch peat pots, in Premier Promix with a little extra mycorrhiza mixed in. So I don't transplant until I need to go up into the plastic greenhouse Pots.
I have always given my seedlings a very light dilution of Kelp/Seaweed by day 3 after emerging fromm the soil, and by day 5 I add a very diluted amount of Fish to that drench. I mist with that very same light Diluted Kelp/Seaweed. My seedlings are always very strong and healthy.

robbyjoe01 · March 25, 2011

Wow!!! Ya all don't plant by the moon. Need to listen to Mother Nature

Aphid · March 26, 2011

I usually do it between 2-3 weeks , when the roots hit the bottom of the seedling cells, thats a good sign

March 19, 2011	#1
tam91 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Crystal Lake IL Posts: 2,484	When to Transplant (and fertilize) My little tomato seedlings seem happy and healthy. I planted them in row flats on 3/2, and most emerged by 3/7. What I'm wondering is - when to transplant them to 4" pots? On the dense planting thread, it says about a month. But mine have good-sized true leaves already. Any suggestions on how to decide when it's time to transplant? Also, I haven't fertilized them yet. I was thinking of using Miracle Grow diluted (1/2 or 1/4 strength?) - soon? After transplant? ....?

March 19, 2011	#2
rxkeith Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Back in da U.P. Posts: 1,848	if they have good size first true leaves, then they are big enough to easily transplant. as far as fertilizing goes, i rarely do it, unless it looks like they are really needing it, and then i will use 1/4 strength solution. you can over do it with fertilizing and end up with large gangly plants when starting them in doors especially when inside temps start climbing in the 70s. the best my plants have looked was when i had them growing in my cool calumet basement where the temp was usually in the low to mid 60s. slow steady growth is what you want. keith

March 24, 2011	#3
cleo88 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Sharon, MA Zone 6 Posts: 225	I second everything Keith said. Potting up when you have the first true set of leaves beyond the "cot" leaves always seems to energize my little guys. I use Miracle Grow Seed Starting mix for both the initial sowing and the first potting up, so I usually don't have to fertilize, although one year I did do the quarter strength at one point.

March 25, 2011	#4
bohica Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: NY Posts: 113	I start mine in 4 inch peat pots, in Premier Promix with a little extra mycorrhiza mixed in. So I don't transplant until I need to go up into the plastic greenhouse Pots. I have always given my seedlings a very light dilution of Kelp/Seaweed by day 3 after emerging fromm the soil, and by day 5 I add a very diluted amount of Fish to that drench. I mist with that very same light Diluted Kelp/Seaweed. My seedlings are always very strong and healthy.

March 25, 2011	#5
robbyjoe01 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Wichita, Kansas Posts: 30	Wow!!! Ya all don't plant by the moon. Need to listen to Mother Nature

March 26, 2011	#6
Aphid Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Nashville TN zone 6-B Posts: 133	I usually do it between 2-3 weeks , when the roots hit the bottom of the seedling cells, thats a good sign