purple stems and slightly purple leafs

kycountryboy · March 31, 2014

i have 6 trays under 10-32w 6500 k bulbs, the weather and my job has not permitted trays to be taken outdoors. the plants are 14 to 16 days old and are sturdy and are growing the 3rd set in the top. i am extremely happy, i have 1/2 fert dose 2 times. the stems have a purple cast and slightly purple in the leaf. i used pro mix and have misted fertized 1 time beside in the water for watering. i have heard too much artifical light can cause this. i will be able in about a week to move out on good days under my deck, so they will get real sun light, should i worry, they look great except for the purple cast. this is the second year i have used lights, but i never started this early last year, i was down for surgery

KarenO · March 31, 2014

Likely caused by cool temperatures and/ or a phosphorus deficiency (due to cool temps making it difficult for the roots to absorb ohosphorus. Both will be resolved once they are warm and in real soil out in the sunshine.
Karen

RayR · March 31, 2014

The purple stems and the purple cast under the leaves is pretty normal for only a couple weeks old. They'll green up in time.
It's only when they are older and there is still a purple cast under the true leaves than that is a sign of phosphorous deficiency usually caused by soil temperatures that are too cold or drowning roots.
What ferts are you using at 1/2 strength?

matilda'skid · March 31, 2014

Mine are a little purple and they look healthy as can be to me. Be careful with the sun. It is so easy to get them sun scorched.

kycountryboy · April 1, 2014

i not exactally sure what strenght fert at my computer no time to check right now. it was probally 9-15-30 or something lke that, nitrogen was low. the temp hasn't been low. i have them in a box for 2 weeks off and on because of my unheated building, but it was hot up to 85-90 on certain days in the box.. never below 70. they are jumping and growing stronger every day.
asap i will move them under my deck, we had 40+ mph winds, no rain but 70. this is kentucky, the weather can change in 2 hours. i am glad i left them inside today.. the sides of the box were removed..
as time goes on i am not worried about them, ..
i havent a whole lot experience using lights, actually i played around a little last year, but this makes about 31 years raising tomatoes. i am about the most serious person i know. i raise about 15 different heirlooms.
thanks for all repiles

March 31, 2014	#1
kycountryboy Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: ky Posts: 26	purple stems and slightly purple leafs i have 6 trays under 10-32w 6500 k bulbs, the weather and my job has not permitted trays to be taken outdoors. the plants are 14 to 16 days old and are sturdy and are growing the 3rd set in the top. i am extremely happy, i have 1/2 fert dose 2 times. the stems have a purple cast and slightly purple in the leaf. i used pro mix and have misted fertized 1 time beside in the water for watering. i have heard too much artifical light can cause this. i will be able in about a week to move out on good days under my deck, so they will get real sun light, should i worry, they look great except for the purple cast. this is the second year i have used lights, but i never started this early last year, i was down for surgery

March 31, 2014	#2
KarenO Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Vancouver Island Posts: 5,932	Likely caused by cool temperatures and/ or a phosphorus deficiency (due to cool temps making it difficult for the roots to absorb ohosphorus. Both will be resolved once they are warm and in real soil out in the sunshine. Karen

March 31, 2014	#3
RayR Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Cheektowaga, NY Posts: 2,466	The purple stems and the purple cast under the leaves is pretty normal for only a couple weeks old. They'll green up in time. It's only when they are older and there is still a purple cast under the true leaves than that is a sign of phosphorous deficiency usually caused by soil temperatures that are too cold or drowning roots. What ferts are you using at 1/2 strength?

March 31, 2014	#4
matilda'skid Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Missouri Posts: 309	Mine are a little purple and they look healthy as can be to me. Be careful with the sun. It is so easy to get them sun scorched.

April 1, 2014	#5
kycountryboy Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: ky Posts: 26	i not exactally sure what strenght fert at my computer no time to check right now. it was probally 9-15-30 or something lke that, nitrogen was low. the temp hasn't been low. i have them in a box for 2 weeks off and on because of my unheated building, but it was hot up to 85-90 on certain days in the box.. never below 70. they are jumping and growing stronger every day. asap i will move them under my deck, we had 40+ mph winds, no rain but 70. this is kentucky, the weather can change in 2 hours. i am glad i left them inside today.. the sides of the box were removed.. as time goes on i am not worried about them, .. i havent a whole lot experience using lights, actually i played around a little last year, but this makes about 31 years raising tomatoes. i am about the most serious person i know. i raise about 15 different heirlooms. thanks for all repiles