The risks of salvage, for tomatoes

[ScottinAtlanta]

I learned a good lesson this year. Be careful when you dumpster dive.



I took a white plastic bin from a dumpster. It seemed innocent and clean, and I washed it well with the hose before taking it inside to use with potted up seedlings.


The seedlings that went into that white bin were stunted, with curling leaves and yellowing fronds. Many died. The only common element was the bin.



You can see the picture below of the stunted seedlings in the front, and normal seedlings, 2-3 times larger, in the back.



I am guessing that the bin held some kind of chemical that poisoned the seedlings, and washing it was not nearly enough to get rid of the contamination.



Lesson learned. I have moved the seedlings to different bins, re-potted the survivors, and some are returning slowly to life.