EMERGENCY with seedlings- Paging NCTomatoMan!!

customgrown · March 13, 2014

Hi, all. I've been growing for over 8 years and have NEVER seen the problem I'm having right now and am quite upset, hoping you can help.

Last year, I used NCTomatoMan's dense planting method without any problem and started a small (legal) backyard nursery to sell vegetable seedlings. I successfully used ProMix Organick, 10x20 standard heat mats, 50ct grow trays and a jumpstart light. The light isn't the best, but it worked for what I was doing. The two trays produced over 1000 plants and I sold around 800 keeping the other 200 for our food. I did not use a thermostat or food until they were transplanted a month later. I used 4" jiffy pots.

(I ONLY do organic transplants and can only use organic approved material. I am inspected by the USDA for the nursery license and certified by a grassroots organic certification.)

Anyway, I just started seedlings for this year. I have MUCH less space to work with this year for indoor seed starting. But unlike last year, I "improved" my supplies, sure I would improve results. I upgraded from two simple standard heat mats to a commercial grade mat that supposedly can hold 6 trays. I have a hydrofarm digital thermostat. I have 3 of the same 50 ct cell inserts and two 72 ct cell inserts. That's all I can fit on the mat. I upgraded to a 4 bulb light (jumpstart again, I can't afford something nicer). I changed my starting mix to Fox Farms Light Warrior as I read from many people on other boards that it is supposedly "so much" better. I figured the nutrients would be beneficial, though was hesitant thinking that dense planting might cause problems with nutrient uptake.

So here is what I'm dealing with and am freaking out about: the soil is registering at 80 degrees, according to the thermostat, so I know the temperature is right. I figured purple meant phosphorus trouble which is almost always temperature, but it can't be. The light is right above the seedlings within an inch. The tomatoes have all germinated (it's been 4 days) but are deep purple and some stems are super thin in the center and have fallen over, killing the plants. They look TERRIBLE and I am convincing myself that they are doomed. I can't just magically order seeds and promix magically overnight and am pretty much out of cash to re-do much. Is my super tiny business doomed for this season?

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March 13, 2014	#1
customgrown Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: New York Posts: 1	EMERGENCY with seedlings- Paging NCTomatoMan!! Hi, all. I've been growing for over 8 years and have NEVER seen the problem I'm having right now and am quite upset, hoping you can help. Last year, I used NCTomatoMan's dense planting method without any problem and started a small (legal) backyard nursery to sell vegetable seedlings. I successfully used ProMix Organick, 10x20 standard heat mats, 50ct grow trays and a jumpstart light. The light isn't the best, but it worked for what I was doing. The two trays produced over 1000 plants and I sold around 800 keeping the other 200 for our food. I did not use a thermostat or food until they were transplanted a month later. I used 4" jiffy pots. (I ONLY do organic transplants and can only use organic approved material. I am inspected by the USDA for the nursery license and certified by a grassroots organic certification.) Anyway, I just started seedlings for this year. I have MUCH less space to work with this year for indoor seed starting. But unlike last year, I "improved" my supplies, sure I would improve results. I upgraded from two simple standard heat mats to a commercial grade mat that supposedly can hold 6 trays. I have a hydrofarm digital thermostat. I have 3 of the same 50 ct cell inserts and two 72 ct cell inserts. That's all I can fit on the mat. I upgraded to a 4 bulb light (jumpstart again, I can't afford something nicer). I changed my starting mix to Fox Farms Light Warrior as I read from many people on other boards that it is supposedly "so much" better. I figured the nutrients would be beneficial, though was hesitant thinking that dense planting might cause problems with nutrient uptake. So here is what I'm dealing with and am freaking out about: the soil is registering at 80 degrees, according to the thermostat, so I know the temperature is right. I figured purple meant phosphorus trouble which is almost always temperature, but it can't be. The light is right above the seedlings within an inch. The tomatoes have all germinated (it's been 4 days) but are deep purple and some stems are super thin in the center and have fallen over, killing the plants. They look TERRIBLE and I am convincing myself that they are doomed. I can't just magically order seeds and promix magically overnight and am pretty much out of cash to re-do much. Is my super tiny business doomed for this season? [IMG][/IMG]