I find that planting them deep usually leads to nice thick stems, so that was probably part of it. I sure your potting up helped as well...big healthy roots equals big healthy plants:). I'm always saddened when I see nurseries selling two foot tall lanky tomato plants growing in little itty bitty 2 inch starter pots. Lol, I don't like thinking about all the plants that go to waste, that's why I try to limit my visits to garden centers, it makes me want to bring them all home...kind of like visiting an animal shelter and wishing I could save them all...lol

Anyway, glad to hear your maters are big n strong!

LOL about the "rescue plants" - I rarely do that with veggies, but have done it a lot with flowers - have a couple of nice rose bushes and some HUGE Montauk daisies now.

I did have a childhood friend and her DH come up to me at church plant sale a couple of weeks ago and ask how I got my tomatoes to have such thick stems. I guess they didn't even use grow lights, just stuck the plugs in the sunroom and let me stretch for the skylights. I told them putting grow lights low and also blowing on them or stroking the tops would strengthen the stems. Did you give your plants anything to "resist" and strengthen the stems? Of course, potting up at least once helps if you plant deep each time (I did twice, from 50/72 cells to 36 cell flats, then 4" pots). I think they just left theirs in original flats.

I might try blocks next year - seems a lot less hassle than a bunch of 4" pots...

I feel the same way about the big plants in tiny cells! It just seems like a waste!

I did pet the seedlings a little, but not enough to matter, I don't think. I like the soil blocker a lot, but the 4" one presents a problem. It costs about $100, so I made one from a 4" cube electrical box. It was slow and awkward, but I got it done. However, on the real 4" blocker (Ladbrooke), the 2" cube cut-out is right on top, I think. So you don't get the deeply planted, rooting on the stems effect, as far as I can tell....

I'll love them and stroke them, and squeeze them and pet them and blow them?????????Uh OH! We've gone too far! LOL Nancy

And call them George...

Is it bad if you know what ajsmama is referring to when you read it the first time, and see the same reference after reading nancyjane_gardener's comment?

Elmer Fudd, right?

LOLOLOL!!!!!! Nancy

I used to have a little friend once, but he don't move no more... Oh my does that bring back memories!!!

I usually pot my "babies" up at least twice between starting medium and final planting and bury them deep. It really does seem to make a difference. I love those big red cups I get at Dollar General or one of those "cheapie" places. A few holes in the bottom and they are nice deep planters. I always have a nice root system when I transplant them into the garden.

Edie