New to growing your own tomatoes? This is the forum to learn the successful techniques used by seasoned tomato growers. Questions are welcome, too.
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March 23, 2016 | #1 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: AL
Posts: 1,993
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Cherries Deep?
It's a little bit too soon, for the second transplant, but while I am thinking about it, when I next transplant these cherries from 6 packs, should I bury them?
These are some MMM cherry seedlings. Poor things. They outside, then inside and so goes the circle between 80's and 90F and then frosts and rain. Today they get fresh air, tomorrow it's back inside from the 60mph winds, hail and rain we got coming. I start everything in 1/2" x 1/2" seed cells. When they had a couple sets of true leaves I started transplanting. Normally, with the bigger types of tomatoes I bury all the way down first time to cotyledon. This time I didn't. I didn't bury them at all because there wasn't even a 1/16" between the cotyledon and the first set of true leaves and I was afraid of rotting stem or leaves. Today I notice I have a little better than an inch where the cotyledons were. All these tomatoes are new to me, so I have no idea what the stems in young seedling growth should look like. Right now the stems look so delicate for the foliage. I don't know if that is normal or not. When I get ready for the next transplant should I bury them deeper and how far up the stem should I go? Just to where cotyledon was or bury more bottom true leaves? Also, if you don't mind, do you remove bottom leaves on these types the same as larger size tomato plants? Some MMM babies, out quick for a pic on a windy day. Yellow on leaves is not disease. Two days of rain and pollen is stuck on everything including the plants. |
March 24, 2016 | #2 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: NewYork 5a
Posts: 2,303
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Seems we are all getting swing weather. We hit 80 a few days then it snowed. Now back up to 70.
Your starts look good though. Maybe a little confused like i am these days. No expert at all but i don't usually take mine in and out so often at that size. I did notice a true expert in your area, more south than me, does set them out because of lack of room it seems, but in filtered shade. Pot them up deep in your choice of cups or pots up to their necks. The tiny first leaves will just die off. I plant mine leaving a couple inches of the pot left so when they take off i can top off with more potting soil. (that's because i start way too soon and end up tending them for too long, then start another insurance tray or two) |
March 30, 2016 | #3 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: AL
Posts: 1,993
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Thanks Oakley! Got em transplanted up into 6" pots. Whew! Took me a bit of time. Those babies got treated with white gloves for sure. I was so afraid of breaking the stems on these delicate foliage plants. Appreciate the help. : )
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March 30, 2016 | #4 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Den of Drunken Fools
Posts: 38,539
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Planting deep in the next container makes for a more sturdy plant.
The stem acts like a tap root to help hold the plant up. Worth |
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