When

lexusnexus · March 25, 2015

This is my first experience at growing tomatoes from seed. They've germinated, but now I need to know when to transfer them to the transplant pot.

Dan

RayR · March 25, 2015

No hurry, let then develop more roots, some true leaves and strengthen up their stems.

shelleybean · March 25, 2015

I agree. I'd wait a bit. These guys don't even have their true leaves yet.

Stvrob · March 25, 2015

If it is YOU that is in a hurry, there certainly is no problem transplanting them at that size. But you do have plenty of time As far as the seedlings are concerned.

kath · March 25, 2015

With my conditions, about 12 days after germination seems to be a good time. At that point they have at least one set of true leaves developed. The transplant stems are sturdy enough but the roots aren't too tangled up yet so that separating them rips too many rootlets off. Yesterday I potted up 12-day and 21-day seedlings that were all in 72-cell trays and the former were much easier to separate.

Btw, if you're thinning to only 1 plant/cell in this initial sowing, you can leave them in place for quite a while, until they begin to get root bound. My suggestions above were assuming that you were going to keep both seedlings that I see in some of the cells in your photo.

lexusnexus · March 25, 2015

Thanks all. That's kind of what I thought. I had read both ways, at this stage and at first true leaves. Sounds like a plan. I appreciate your thoughts.

Dan

March 25, 2015	#1
lexusnexus Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: MD Suburbs of DC, Zone 7a Posts: 500	When This is my first experience at growing tomatoes from seed. They've germinated, but now I need to know when to transfer them to the transplant pot. Dan __________________ Dan

March 25, 2015	#3
shelleybean Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 2,648	I agree. I'd wait a bit. These guys don't even have their true leaves yet. __________________ Michele

March 25, 2015	#5
kath Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: zone 6b, PA Posts: 5,664	With my conditions, about 12 days after germination seems to be a good time. At that point they have at least one set of true leaves developed. The transplant stems are sturdy enough but the roots aren't too tangled up yet so that separating them rips too many rootlets off. Yesterday I potted up 12-day and 21-day seedlings that were all in 72-cell trays and the former were much easier to separate. Btw, if you're thinning to only 1 plant/cell in this initial sowing, you can leave them in place for quite a while, until they begin to get root bound. My suggestions above were assuming that you were going to keep both seedlings that I see in some of the cells in your photo. Last edited by kath; March 25, 2015 at 04:53 PM.

March 25, 2015	#6
lexusnexus Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: MD Suburbs of DC, Zone 7a Posts: 500	Thanks all. That's kind of what I thought. I had read both ways, at this stage and at first true leaves. Sounds like a plan. I appreciate your thoughts. Dan __________________ Dan

March 25, 2015	#2
RayR Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Cheektowaga, NY Posts: 2,466	No hurry, let then develop more roots, some true leaves and strengthen up their stems.

March 25, 2015	#4
Stvrob Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 1,413	If it is YOU that is in a hurry, there certainly is no problem transplanting them at that size. But you do have plenty of time As far as the seedlings are concerned.