Starting fall Heirlooms from seed in south Texas - Page 3

txtomato · July 15, 2006

Wow...looking good!

I still have to figure out the secret to getting those plants so sturdy - any tips?

Great pictures!

feldon30 · July 17, 2006

Intense (40W x 2) fluorescent lights only 2-3 inches max above the tallest plants will keep them from growing too tall in search of sunlight. If some plants are significantly taller than others, you might have to put the shorter ones up on a book or CDs or platform to get them to the same level.

I haven't been using one but it is strongly encouraged to have a gentle fan blowing on the seedlings anywhere from a few hours a day to all day to encourage them to stiffen up their stems.

feldon30 · August 3, 2006

I started to harden off my tomato plants nearly 3 weeks ago. Then we got lots and lots of rain so that put a hold on things. I'm now fully hardened off.

That said, my plants look pretty poor. Flea beetles (I'm guessing based on the holes in the leaves) and leaf miners really took a toll. The plants generally are yellowing, I am not sure if this is a lack of fertilizer (I've been spraying the seedlings with fish/kelp emulsion about once a week) or what. Hopefully things will sort themselves out when the plants get in the ground?

I think next time I harden off, I am going to get some muslin or other netting material to keep bugs out.

Reign · August 3, 2006

Are they living outside now?
Maybe let the soil dry a bit and next watering water with weak fish/seaweed.

feldon30 · August 3, 2006

They have been outside for over a week now. I've been keeping them well watered and gradually increased the amount of sunlight to get them to where they are now.

kwselke · August 3, 2006

Feldon,

Get your plants in the ground; and make sure the ground is well watered before planting your starts. The bugs are going to take their toll, but just keep some reserve starts ready as replacements. I've found that putting plants in well watered ground is easier on them than trying to keep pots evenly watered in this heat.

supergirl · August 3, 2006

Congratulations, Feldon! I totally identify with the "newbie trying new things for the first time" excitement, as a fellow newbie/instant addict. Best of luck with your fall crop!

July 17, 2006	#32
feldon30 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2006 Location: Rock Hill, SC Posts: 5,346	Intense (40W x 2) fluorescent lights only 2-3 inches max above the tallest plants will keep them from growing too tall in search of sunlight. If some plants are significantly taller than others, you might have to put the shorter ones up on a book or CDs or platform to get them to the same level. I haven't been using one but it is strongly encouraged to have a gentle fan blowing on the seedlings anywhere from a few hours a day to all day to encourage them to stiffen up their stems. __________________ [SIZE="3"]I've relaunched my gardening website -- [B]TheUnconventionalTomato.com[/B][/SIZE] * [I][SIZE="1"]*I'm not allowed to post weblinks so you'll have to copy-paste it manually.[/SIZE][/I]

August 3, 2006	#33
feldon30 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2006 Location: Rock Hill, SC Posts: 5,346	I started to harden off my tomato plants nearly 3 weeks ago. Then we got lots and lots of rain so that put a hold on things. I'm now fully hardened off. That said, my plants look pretty poor. Flea beetles (I'm guessing based on the holes in the leaves) and leaf miners really took a toll. The plants generally are yellowing, I am not sure if this is a lack of fertilizer (I've been spraying the seedlings with fish/kelp emulsion about once a week) or what. Hopefully things will sort themselves out when the plants get in the ground? I think next time I harden off, I am going to get some muslin or other netting material to keep bugs out. __________________ [SIZE="3"]I've relaunched my gardening website -- [B]TheUnconventionalTomato.com[/B][/SIZE] * [I][SIZE="1"]*I'm not allowed to post weblinks so you'll have to copy-paste it manually.[/SIZE][/I]

August 3, 2006	#35
feldon30 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2006 Location: Rock Hill, SC Posts: 5,346	They have been outside for over a week now. I've been keeping them well watered and gradually increased the amount of sunlight to get them to where they are now. __________________ [SIZE="3"]I've relaunched my gardening website -- [B]TheUnconventionalTomato.com[/B][/SIZE] * [I][SIZE="1"]*I'm not allowed to post weblinks so you'll have to copy-paste it manually.[/SIZE][/I]

July 15, 2006	#31
txtomato Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2006 Location: Joshua, TX Posts: 2	Wow...looking good! I still have to figure out the secret to getting those plants so sturdy - any tips? Great pictures!

August 3, 2006	#34
Reign Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: NY Posts: 130	Are they living outside now? Maybe let the soil dry a bit and next watering water with weak fish/seaweed.

August 3, 2006	#36
kwselke Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 172	Feldon, Get your plants in the ground; and make sure the ground is well watered before planting your starts. The bugs are going to take their toll, but just keep some reserve starts ready as replacements. I've found that putting plants in well watered ground is easier on them than trying to keep pots evenly watered in this heat.

August 3, 2006	#37
supergirl Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2006 Location: Palo Alto, CA Posts: 107	Congratulations, Feldon! I totally identify with the "newbie trying new things for the first time" excitement, as a fellow newbie/instant addict. Best of luck with your fall crop!