Day two and already disaster???

[hasshoes]

I planted my tomato seeds three days ago, at night. I'd read that they're supposed to take 7 to 9 days to germinate, but I'm silly and excited, so I lifted up the cover this afternoon, and there was absolutely nothing. When I got home in the early evening , I checked them again (like I said, I'm silly,) and I jumped backwards I was so surprised- several seedlings had sprouted to well over and inch (probably two inches) and many are at the inch level.

How did this happen??!!!! They were covered from light and the temp in my house is 70. Should I just throw them out and start over?!!!!! ACK!!!

[carolyn137]

No, you don't start over.

But get any cover off ASAP and get them off a heat mat ASAP if you're using one, and get them under the lights with the top of the foliage no more than two inches from the lights.

This should be done when you see th absolute first ones have germinated. They will continue to germinate under the lights.

Germination conditions that are used by different folks vary widely and it's not surprising at all to see such rapid germination, especially if the seeds are fresh and haven't been sowed too deeply.

So you don't have a disaster at all, you're just on the way to some nice seedlings.

Finally, There can be slight differences in germination time for some varieties, but not much. Craig has said that Mexico Midget lags behind for him and for me it's the variety Mirabell, a cherry sized yellow that lags behind. And it really isn't lagging at all but, rather, the genetic nature of such varieties to germinate when they do.

[lumierefrere]

Congrats on your successful germination.

What kind of dog is that?

Barb

[hasshoes]

Thank you Carolyn, that is a big relief! Fortunately, I did what you suggested, and madly set up a temporary light station in my kitchen (I was actually out shopping for lights when the seedlings hatched).

My question now is how long do I give the nonsprouters before I give up on them? The mad sprouters were all in the middle (with the exception of Marriana's Peace which has done nothing), which is where I believe the heat mat is the warmest.

I have them in a burbee greenhouse kit that was already vented (with the top now completely removed,) and that waters the bottom of the soil via a black mat that dips into water on the ends. I hope I am making sense? The black watering mat is on a riser that only dips into the water on the left and right sides to suck up water for the entire mat. Could the sides be to wet and that is why they're not germinating? The far right looks like it's starting, but my seeds on the left have done absolutely nothing.

The seeds that are doing nothing (in order of rows) are Hawaiian Currant, Coyote, Lime Green Salad, and #5 Marrianna's Peace. #11 and #12 (last two rows) are Aunt Ruby's GG and German Giant and each look like they have one out of six seeds about to sprout. In case you're wondering, the mad sprouters were Paul R. and Black Krim, and there was a decent showing by Hawaiian P, Brandywine Yellow, and Kellogg's B.

Sorry this is so long, and thanks in advance! Maybe I'm overreacting, but life has me behind on my seedstarting!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank You!
Heather S
ps- the dog in the pic is a mastiff with a particularly fluffy coat one very snowy winter

[garnetmoth]

that is TOO CUTE. im glad youre having sucess.

I havent used a self watering contraption, but you dont want the soil to be drenched continuously. If the water resivoir side is wet, I would let it dry a bit (surface dry) then use a spritz bottle to water gently until germination. Once the seedlings are really drawing water, it should work OK, but seeds dont need a whole bunch.

I had some 2-yr old Beauty king seeds take about 1.5 months (yes, about 6 weeks!) to germinate. Also some traded no-name improved Principe Borghesse seeds took about the same length of time. I had a no-show for Kellogs Breakfast.

If youre tired of waiting, or dont have the room, you can give up when you pot up your cells. If you REALLY want the seedlings, or these are an important variety to you, id wait at least 4 weeks before declaring something a possible goner.

[hasshoes]

Thank you garnetmoth. . . is that a real tattoo? It looks amazing !!!

I just wanted to add that- ironically enough- the "mad sprouters" that I was worried I'd have to throw out, are the ones that are really thriving. They're starting to get their second set of leaves !!!!!

[garnetmoth]

Ayup, its real.

Did you have any seeds that took over 2-3 weeks?