Why do my starts NEVER look like the ones from the Nursery??

[the999bbq]

oh but I'm in the believers camp when it comes to 'tickling' the plants to get shorter, sturdier plants (never needed any chopsticks to support my plants before their final destination) but maybe the thigmo-thingy works better on real physical contact rather than on movement only. I read a German article (http://www.landwirtschaft-bw.info/se...broschuere.pdf) where they used a 'streichelwagen', a broom fixed to a wagon to stroke the plants from time to time; they could have used vents but they choose for a brush, so ...

[salix]

I am also a great believer in "fondling the foliage". LOL

[Polar_Lace]

Originally Posted by Mischka

There is a trick that you can use to get your seedling stems to be thicker, like theirs are. Get a soft bristled sweeping brush and lightly brush the tops of the seedlings several times in succession a couple of times a day.

It works.

This is the only reason my feathered duster is still around, (it's Ostrich Feathers, 20 years old) I've nearly thrown it out about 10 times so far!

I have to get out the Label Machine and Relabel it as a "Tomato Tickler"

~* Robin

[barkeater]

It is hard to top the natural sunlight plants receive in a greenhouse compared to ours that are grown under lights. But, even those grown in the greenhouse can't be directly planted in the ground without hardening them off outside.

[barkeater]

That is interesting about using an oscillating fan, and what Mishka says about 10 minutes of a fan at a time. I've used a fan for the past 3 years, but it is directed at the plants on low for the whole time the lights are on. Guess I better get an oscillating fan.

[barkeater]

Never mind, delete if possible.

[Nightshade]

I used the supercropping method on my seedlings. It hurt to see them looking so shocked after i lightly crushed their stems, but they recovered and became strong, stocky plants.

Robin...i saw my old duster recently. It had been so long since i used it that i couldn't even remember why it was that I wanted to have feathers on a stick.

[pooklette]

Now you guys have got me curious. I tried adding more light this year and the plants are way less leggy but their stems are still super-skinny. They need something more...

The neighbors are going to be so confused when they see me out on the porch petting my plants.

[vermiit]

We need someone with graphics experience to make us a logo to put on hats and t-shirts that show a hand petting a tomato start!

Gee whiz, here I have new plants in the ground, and you folks have me thinking of next year's garden all ready and starting tomato seeds again!!

[matoman]

My Dad laughed at me when he saw me touching my tomato plants. I just read this tip in an organic gardening book this year. The tip my Dad always heard was just enough water to keep them alive also helps keep them short and stout.

I now run my hand across the seedling bed

[Moonglow]

thanks for asking the questions and thanks for the replies! good thing i'm going to start seeds tomorrow anyway!

HOWEVER, you ALL made ME go out to check how my seedlings compare to the nursery seedlings . they have caught up and look sturdier than some of the nursery tomatoes!

thanks again!