Just ignore the purple. It usually results from lack of uptake of P and is most often associated with perhaps cold conditions.

When you get them outside they'll return to the normal green although most plants tend to have a slight purple area where a side stem meets a larger stem, which is also normal.

Even when set out and they've gone to green if the temps drop you can again see purple, but eventually with more consistent weather all will be fine.

If the purple seedlings really bother you you can give them a quick spray of either a seaweed or fish prep, both of which are high in micronutrients and the P in those preps will be taken up by the foliage and thus the plants won't be dependent on absorption thru the roots.

Carolyn

Common and even pretty much normal on young seedlings more related to stresses of growth and temperature than anything else. Just weird the first time you notice it. Kind of a teenage purple-hair stage thing they outgrow. ;)

We have had several past discussions about it with pics included but I don't know off hand if they are still available or not. Search might pull them up if interested.

Once transplanted to the garden and settled in it disappears quickly - no harm at all to the plant.

Dave

Carolyn beat me to it. ;)

seaweed fertilizer alone usually has no phosphorus content. Most fish emulsions are low as well.

Try to find a product that has a higher middle number. Neptune seaweed + fish emulsion is a more conc product.

Probably the highest you can get in an organic product would be to make a tea from bat guano.

Otherwise a dilute solution of any "bloom booster" type water soluble fertilizer. (recommended if seedlings are kept indoors)

Early P is important for flower formation. The majority of P found in fruits came from P that was taken up as a seedling.

Also if you can find some way to warm the roots do so. This will help P be taken up by the roots. A heating pad set to low or even setting the pots on or wrapping them with something black to absorb sunlight will help.

Thanks, I feel better

He didn't mean for YOU to drink the bat guano tea!!! But if it made you feel better, I guess it's okay. Not my cup of tea though.

Thanks for this post. I was just wondering the same thing as in all the years growing toms do not remember this happening. Thought I'd bump it just in case someone else is in this boat right about now.

DL