Tomato seedling problems

14 years ago

I have allot of problems with starting tomatoes.

We have them under lights in the basement.

They are germinated on the utility room floor that has in- floor heat, it stays quite warm there.

They are then put under fluorescent lights, one cool-white to one warm-white. They are then watered about every other day or when needed. The soil is just starting to feel dry on the surface of the soil when we water. The lights are kept 3-4 inches above the plants. The problem is the seedlings just sit there and don't grow. They start getting there first true leaves and then they just shrivel up and die. Out of 100 plants we get about 5 to grow and those are really slow to get going. Most of there growth happens when we put them in the unheated greenhouse still in there pots when they are about 3inches tall with only a few true leaves. We have used sterile jiffy mix. We have used miracle grow potting soil with jiffy mix added to make it lighter. We have tried straight Miracle grow potting soil. We have tried starting in six-cell packs and transplanting into three and four inch pots. We have tried starting them in flats. We have tried starting them in many different containers. It would be much appreciated if someone could help us we have tried starting tomatoes seedlings in the past two-three years and have mostly failed. Thanks to anyone who can help.

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Comments (8)

cal_mario
14 years ago
You might need to put your lights nearly touching the tomatoes I think as you have them now they are too far.Fluorescent light is very weak.I start mine in heating mats in my hoophouse .I move the tomatoes to my lights,I built a wooden frame to hang my lights and then I use mylar and then frost protection overhead overnight,sort of a like a greenhouse within a greenhouse.In the daytime I uncover everything. When the sun is out this helps quite a bit for them to grow.They can get dry so I soak them a few minutes in a large tray every few days.
thisisme
14 years ago
It sounds like Damping Off to me.

Here is a link that might be useful: Protecting Seedlings from Damping Off Disease
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jean001a
14 years ago
Perhaps lack of fertilizer?
aloha10
14 years ago
To AK Dirtlover.
I do almost exactly what you do and have been growing nice sturdy, healthy seedlings for many years. The one difference, I suspect, is that your cellar is too warm. My cellar rarely gets above 60 degrees since I replaced my old furnace with a new efficient model some years ago. Tomato seedlings grow best in a 55-60 degree environment. The bottom heat is great for sproating seeds but get the little darlings to a cooler place under the lights as soon as they sproat. I think they are dying from heat stroke. I also run an oscillating fan on them for a few hours per day until I put them out in the cellar breezeway for hardening off. I think (or hope) this advice may help you.
Victor
tracydr
14 years ago
I use a small fan on my seedlings. For damping off, maybe try some chamomile tea or a hydrogen peroxide solution %10 percent with water.
akdirtlover
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks guys i will try these tips
laccanvas
14 years ago
What's the temp in your basement? Fans always provide air circulation and it strengthens their stems...

You should also transplant them immediately after the seed emerges from the soil into a little 2 leafed plant. I use plastic cups....and sterile STARTER MIX with an organic liquid fertilizing regime.

Is your basement ventilated? Change your air filter if you have one. Also, are the seedlings on the floor? Move them up higher if they are. Also, where you buy your seeds might be something to consider.

I have about 30 different tomato varieties. Very new grower. Average about 65 plants past 2 years. Haven't had too many dampening off issues...probably about 5 plants per season. I don't use anything to prevent it.

My house stays at about 72 degrees. I let my soil almost completely dry out before watering/fertilizing.
Anthony Nguyen
14 years ago
Laccanvas, I'm at the point where I need to move my seedlings as they have developed their real leaves.

What is STARTER MIX? Could you provide a link? I use the Jiffy brand seed starting soilless for my seedlings in 1" plastic chambers, and then was planning on transplanting them to 4" pots with Miracle Gro "Seed Starting Potting Mix". Would you recommend that?

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_SPM2379012502P?sid=IDx20101019x00001a&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=SPM161909593