First timer pics

midstroke · February 1, 2017

Hello, this is the first time starting from seed and have questions. Does this plant look leggy? This seed was planted 3 and a half weeks ago. Any suggestions? Tried just a couple seeds to test my setup. Going to do a big batch of seeds at first of march. Im 10 minutes from st louis, does march sound good? Thanks Mid
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AlittleSalt · February 1, 2017

It's a little bit leggy at most. Position your lights just above the plant and adjust as needed. I'll try to get a picture showing this. Tomatoes and peppers

KarenO · February 1, 2017

Looks fine. Roberts advice re light positioning is good. Once ready to transplant bury the stem right up to the first true leaves.
Off to a good start so far. Best wishes, starting
seeds yourself is very rewarding
KarenO

bjbebs · February 2, 2017

Mid, I'm a couple hours north of you. St. Louis is 8-10 days ahead of me weather wise. My kids live there and plant out for tomatoes is safe late April, early May.
A March 1 start would work and peppers a couple weeks earlier. Allow a good week plus to harden off.
You can take cuttings from the plants you've already started. This will slow things down and you can control their growth so they will not be too big at plant out. Your summer comes on so fast that young transplants take off quickly. I would shoot for an 8 week old plant that has been hardened off well.

oakley · February 2, 2017

Really smart to do a trial run. Testing your set-up, soil, and method.
Seed is cheap. Disappointing if something goes wrong so starting a bit early
avoids that. Having a few extra plants is good insurance.

Many of us start seeds in smaller cell containers then move up to cups where they live until planting in the garden. That way, as mentioned, they can be planted very deep in
your cups. Growing more roots all along the stems for a stronger plant.

Close to your light set-up will strengthen them. But if you are growing indeterminate they just want to go up. Keeping your growing area cool will slow them down a bit.

I'm growing some dwarfs and micros and they, by nature, are much more short and squat
during their youth.

midstroke · February 2, 2017

thanks all.,Keep suggestions coming.

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February 1, 2017	#3
KarenO Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Vancouver Island Posts: 5,931	Looks fine. Roberts advice re light positioning is good. Once ready to transplant bury the stem right up to the first true leaves. Off to a good start so far. Best wishes, starting seeds yourself is very rewarding KarenO

February 2, 2017	#4
bjbebs Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2014 Location: illinois Posts: 281	Mid, I'm a couple hours north of you. St. Louis is 8-10 days ahead of me weather wise. My kids live there and plant out for tomatoes is safe late April, early May. A March 1 start would work and peppers a couple weeks earlier. Allow a good week plus to harden off. You can take cuttings from the plants you've already started. This will slow things down and you can control their growth so they will not be too big at plant out. Your summer comes on so fast that young transplants take off quickly. I would shoot for an 8 week old plant that has been hardened off well.

February 2, 2017	#5
oakley Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: NewYork 5a Posts: 2,303	Really smart to do a trial run. Testing your set-up, soil, and method. Seed is cheap. Disappointing if something goes wrong so starting a bit early avoids that. Having a few extra plants is good insurance. Many of us start seeds in smaller cell containers then move up to cups where they live until planting in the garden. That way, as mentioned, they can be planted very deep in your cups. Growing more roots all along the stems for a stronger plant. Close to your light set-up will strengthen them. But if you are growing indeterminate they just want to go up. Keeping your growing area cool will slow them down a bit. I'm growing some dwarfs and micros and they, by nature, are much more short and squat during their youth.

February 2, 2017	#6
midstroke Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Illinois Posts: 11	thanks all.,Keep suggestions coming.