Yellow is usually a sign of too much water. Let the top 1/2 inch dry out, then water.

Al

It could be many things, too much water, too little water, too much fertilizer, not enough fertilizer, potting medium packed too hard, etc. I am confident that the problem will resolve itself when the plants are in their final containers and have outdoor air and sun. Growing under lights indoors is very good, but not ideal.

Jim

I'm going to plant them in their containers this weekend. Then for a couple days I'll keep them on the porch with cloches over them (and a brick on top to foil wind and squirrels). They should be protected if night temperatures go down into the forties, and they won't scorch if it gets hot during the day because they'll just have dappled sun there.

40's at night won't hurt them at all. They will tolerate that much better than they will tolerate the heat that builds up inside a cloche during the day. 50 degree air even in dappled sun turns into 80+ degree air inside the cloche unless it is very well ventilated and that can quickly stress, even kill young seedlings.

Harsh wind and direct sun exposure is really all you have to protect them from.

Dave

Hang on. Tomatoes don't like direct sun? Or are you saying that they shouldn't be in direct sun for the first couple days after they're transplanted?

I was thinking the cloches would protect them from the $%^%&(*!# squirrels.

So, new plan. Transplant them into their permanent containers, spray them with Hot Pepper Wax or Liquid Fence to keep the tree rats away, then keep them on the porch for a couple/several days? The porch gets dappled sunlight. Would this work?

Yes, I'm a mater newbie. :-)

I planted squash and melon seeds by the fence where they'll get full sun, then put cloches over them. I figured that would keep the emerging sprouts from being eaten. Did I just bake my seeds?

If I did, all I've lost is time and a couple seeds. I can always replant.

Thanks for the feedback.

and they won't scorch if it gets hot during the day because they'll just have dappled sun there.

You had said "dappled sun" that's fine but for a couple of days after transplanting they should not be exposed to direct sun - big difference. That's a standard part of the week long hardening off process when going from indoors to outside.

Cloches are great for nighttime protection from near freezing temps - that's what they are made for. But they are not intended for daytime use. They must be removed in the daylight or extremely well ventilated or they just cook the plants - (you had this same problem last year as I recall).

Dave

Yeah, that was with the broccoli. I'll take them off the melons and squash areas and just keep an eye on them. The squirrels here, though, are evil. I've probably lost a dozen iris rhizomes and at least as many garlic to them. They don't seem to be able to get past the cloches, though, if I put a brick on top. They haven't figured out how to get steroids yet.

The three biggest tomato plants are in their final containers and are sitting on my back porch.

If the melons and zucchini don't sprout, I'll reseed. I was hoping, what with the fine weather, to get them in a little early, but it's still not too late.