Plant growth and sunlight

**Lee** · June 16, 2008

I grew a bunch of seedlings this year, and planted 1/4 in my new garden bed,
and gave 1/2 to my dad.
Mine were planted about 2 weeks before my dad's at the end of April. His during
the second week of May.

His plants are now 2' + the size of all of mine!
He gets about 5 hours of sun/day and I get 12~13 hours.
Also, his are not at all leggy, very full and thick. Mine look like a bunch
of compact bushes.

As far a fruit set, I'd say we're about even. I may have a slight edge on
numbers, but the temps have been in the upper 90s so that could effect things
as well.

My question is this: Do you think the 13 hours of sun is keeping my plants
short and stocky, or should I look for another cause... soil?

Lee

Tomatovator · June 16, 2008

My guess would be yes. I have 16 plants along a south facing wall and they only get about 9 hours of sun a day. I have 6 plants in EB's in my backyard and they get 13 hours of sun a day. The ones that only get 9 hours of sun are a lot bigger than the back yard plants. The back yard plants are bushier and there is less stem between the leaves. Both groups of plants produced great last year so I think it is the amount of sun making the difference in the way the plants grow.

June 16, 2008	#1
Lee Tomatopalooza™ Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: NC-Zone 7 Posts: 2,188	Plant growth and sunlight I grew a bunch of seedlings this year, and planted 1/4 in my new garden bed, and gave 1/2 to my dad. Mine were planted about 2 weeks before my dad's at the end of April. His during the second week of May. His plants are now 2' + the size of all of mine! He gets about 5 hours of sun/day and I get 12~13 hours. Also, his are not at all leggy, very full and thick. Mine look like a bunch of compact bushes. As far a fruit set, I'd say we're about even. I may have a slight edge on numbers, but the temps have been in the upper 90s so that could effect things as well. My question is this: Do you think the 13 hours of sun is keeping my plants short and stocky, or should I look for another cause... soil? Lee __________________ Intelligence is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing not to put one in a fruit salad. Cuostralee - The best thing on sliced bread.

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June 16, 2008	#2
Tomatovator Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Pennsylvania Zone 6 Posts: 461	My guess would be yes. I have 16 plants along a south facing wall and they only get about 9 hours of sun a day. I have 6 plants in EB's in my backyard and they get 13 hours of sun a day. The ones that only get 9 hours of sun are a lot bigger than the back yard plants. The back yard plants are bushier and there is less stem between the leaves. Both groups of plants produced great last year so I think it is the amount of sun making the difference in the way the plants grow.