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

vermiit · March 29, 2009

I was rather proud of my little starts. But I stopped by the nursery, and talk about starts! The very leaves look thicker, and so robust, like steriods! Of course, I couldn't resist, and even bought a duplicate of my own start, because it looked so magnificent. And to also see the difference as the season goes on...

**nctomatoman** · March 29, 2009

Probably greenhouse culture and fertilizer!

pooklette · March 30, 2009

Mine never look as good as the nursery starts.

Theirs are always stockier and fuller. I'm thinking my starts need more light than they're getting.

ETA: Mine catch up to the nursery plants once planted out though. Within a few weeks, they too start to look like real tomato plants. LOL

fourtgn · March 30, 2009

Maybe theirs are just older? Transplanted with the stem buried so they seem shorter and younger? Just guessing. I don't know.

Fulenn

**Mischka** · March 30, 2009

Commercial growers have many processes in place to produce lush, deep green, sturdy looking plants.

All aspects of their growing environment are controlled and easily adjusted and manipulated as needed; air temperature, humidity, potting mix temperature, light exposure time and nutrient uptake, just to name a few.

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.

You can also do the same thing using an electric fan set on low, just be sure not run it for more than 10 minutes each treatment. This can also dry out your growing medium quicker, so be sure to check it often.

I've used both methods and others here do, too.

Vince · March 30, 2009

I have the most healthy looking seedlings I have ever grown this year. What I did different is 1) Placing fluorescents so they touch(16-24h/day) or nearly touch the tops of the seedlings, once at the true leaf stage. 2) Oscillating fan on low(at true leaf stage), very close to the plants (16-24 hours/day). I have not had any problem with drying the seedlings out. 3) Having the seedlings in a room in my house, which stays between 68-80 deg farenheight. I think this really helps the root growth. 4) transplant from 20 to cup, to small singles, to 4 inch or gallon pots with a little manure. I think that when they really start taking off it is good to have the extra room for the roots. And once in the bigger sized pots a little manure at the bottom of the pot really helps to get them going.

What I did the same. give kelp extract at true leaf stage, and later kelp plus some dilute chem fert.

The result was better or equal to the best store bought transplants.

feldon30 · March 30, 2009

Quote:

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

They grow them at 50-60 degrees in a greenhouse with fans to make for very stiff stems and slow growth. Some also spray the plants with growth inhibitors.

I can assure you that if you start seeds and put them under lights (1-2 inches max) immediately after they sprout, and plant your seedlings when they are 8-12 inches tall, you will be in just as good a shape as the nursery seedlings, perhaps even better. Don't worry about it.

vermiit · March 30, 2009

Thanks for the insight and tips! Every year, I'm more pleased with my seedlings, and then I go to the nursery and 'remember' what theirs looks like and mine look scrawny again... good to know, pooklette, that they'll even out in the garden! I am doing a side-by-side comparison, in the same cage, of Black Trifele.

And I haven't tried the brushing or fan technique yet, but I will next year!

fourtgn · March 30, 2009

Same here. Thanks for the tips. I'll be trying the fan next season.

Fulenn

lumierefrere · March 30, 2009

I draped a mylar blanket ($1.25) over the shoplights and cut a swath to go under the seedlings. It reflects all the light I have available and boy what a difference it's making!

Last year I mentioned the difference in my seedlings and the seedlings at the farm market and the owner said it was sunlight. They don't spray, it's not a sophisticated operation. But I think Karen's right. If you give them plenty of light that's a big step in the right direction.

Penny · March 31, 2009

Great tips, thanks.

cottonpicker · March 31, 2009

I agree that brushing the seedlings a couple of times a day does make for sturdier plant stems. Have been doing that for several years since reading about "thigmotropism" which is a directional response to stimulii. I agree--- it works!!

Barbee · March 31, 2009

I run my palm across the tops of the flats every morning before watering. I do it to release that mater smell up to my nose. Who knew it had benefits? LoL

the999bbq · April 8, 2009

so physical contact is even better than 'wind' (blowing, waving,...) ??

Barbee · April 8, 2009

I don't know? My husband tells people I "pet" my tomatoes and that's why they grow so well LoLoL

March 29, 2009	#1
vermiit Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: z 14, California Posts: 137	Why do my starts NEVER look like the ones from the Nursery?? I was rather proud of my little starts. But I stopped by the nursery, and talk about starts! The very leaves look thicker, and so robust, like steriods! Of course, I couldn't resist, and even bought a duplicate of my own start, because it looked so magnificent. And to also see the difference as the season goes on...

March 29, 2009	#2
nctomatoman Tomatoville® Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hendersonville, NC zone 7 Posts: 10,385	Probably greenhouse culture and fertilizer! __________________ Craig

March 30, 2009	#5
Mischka Tomatoville® Administrator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: The Bay State Posts: 3,207	Commercial growers have many processes in place to produce lush, deep green, sturdy looking plants. All aspects of their growing environment are controlled and easily adjusted and manipulated as needed; air temperature, humidity, potting mix temperature, light exposure time and nutrient uptake, just to name a few. 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. You can also do the same thing using an electric fan set on low, just be sure not run it for more than 10 minutes each treatment. This can also dry out your growing medium quicker, so be sure to check it often. I've used both methods and others here do, too. __________________ Mischka One last word of farewell, Dear Master and Mistress. Whenever you visit my grave, say to yourselves with regret but also with happiness in your hearts at the remembrance of my long happy life with you: "Here lies one who loved us and whom we loved." No matter how deep my sleep I shall hear you, and not all the power of death can keep my spirit from wagging a grateful tail.

March 30, 2009	#6
Vince Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Riverside, CA Posts: 942	I have the most healthy looking seedlings I have ever grown this year. What I did different is 1) Placing fluorescents so they touch(16-24h/day) or nearly touch the tops of the seedlings, once at the true leaf stage. 2) Oscillating fan on low(at true leaf stage), very close to the plants (16-24 hours/day). I have not had any problem with drying the seedlings out. 3) Having the seedlings in a room in my house, which stays between 68-80 deg farenheight. I think this really helps the root growth. 4) transplant from 20 to cup, to small singles, to 4 inch or gallon pots with a little manure. I think that when they really start taking off it is good to have the extra room for the roots. And once in the bigger sized pots a little manure at the bottom of the pot really helps to get them going. What I did the same. give kelp extract at true leaf stage, and later kelp plus some dilute chem fert. The result was better or equal to the best store bought transplants. __________________ Vince

March 31, 2009	#12
cottonpicker Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: SE PA..near Valley Forge Posts: 839	I agree that brushing the seedlings a couple of times a day does make for sturdier plant stems. Have been doing that for several years since reading about "thigmotropism" which is a directional response to stimulii. I agree--- it works!! __________________ "Strong and bitter words indicate a weak cause". Victor Hugo

March 30, 2009	#3
pooklette Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Zone 5 Posts: 262	Mine never look as good as the nursery starts. Theirs are always stockier and fuller. I'm thinking my starts need more light than they're getting. ETA: Mine catch up to the nursery plants once planted out though. Within a few weeks, they too start to look like real tomato plants. LOL

March 30, 2009	#4
fourtgn Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 75	Maybe theirs are just older? Transplanted with the stem buried so they seem shorter and younger? Just guessing. I don't know. Fulenn

March 30, 2009	#10
lumierefrere Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Zone 4 NY Posts: 772	I draped a mylar blanket ($1.25) over the shoplights and cut a swath to go under the seedlings. It reflects all the light I have available and boy what a difference it's making! Last year I mentioned the difference in my seedlings and the seedlings at the farm market and the owner said it was sunlight. They don't spray, it's not a sophisticated operation. But I think Karen's right. If you give them plenty of light that's a big step in the right direction.

March 31, 2009	#11
Penny Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 948	Great tips, thanks.

March 31, 2009	#13
Barbee Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 1,818	I run my palm across the tops of the flats every morning before watering. I do it to release that mater smell up to my nose. Who knew it had benefits? LoL __________________ *Barbee*

April 8, 2009	#14
the999bbq Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 191	so physical contact is even better than 'wind' (blowing, waving,...) ??