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clairdo2_gw

started tomato seeds about 3 weeks ago

18 years ago

Comments (6)

  • 18 years ago

    Those are very healthy seedings, Clair. Are you gowing them under lights? If so, what king of bulbs are you using. My seedlings are under lights, but this year, they are rather leggy, which is unusual. I wonder if the flourescent tubes lose vigour with age. I've been using these for at least three years.

  • 18 years ago

    I have them in a sunny window. no artificial lights.

  • 18 years ago

    Hi all--since I don't have much window space for growing seedlings, I've been growing seedlings under fluorescent lights for 3 years now.

    Leggy seedlings indicates insufficient light. But insufficient light isn't just about the bulb type. There are two things reasons this may occur: the light source isn't close enough to the surface of the seedings (3" or so for small seedlings) and/or lighting doesn't provide the full spectrum.

    You don't have to buy grow light bulbs or full spectrum bulbs to accomplish this. If you install one warm fluorescent light bulb and one cool fluorescent bulb into each 4' shop light you will be providing enough of the spectrum to keep your seedlings happy.

    Here is a link that might be useful: Gardening under lights

  • 18 years ago

    While seedling tomatoes initially do well under plant lights, I find once they hit a certain size it's more difficult to give all parts of the plant good light using a plant light. Usually the top leaves will get good light and the bottom not so good. Therefore, I usually try to put mine outside for some supplemental sun on semi warm days. Still, mine are about 8 inches high and sort of scraggly, due to poor weather which has kept them inside a lot.

    Glen

  • 18 years ago

    are you sure you planted tomatoes? those look suspiciously like peppers to me. I could be wrong though, definitely not a tomato expert.
    They are growing beautifully thought if nothing else.
    Northerner_on - fluorescent lights do lose vigor over time so you need to replace them regularly. with plant use probably every two years. Just make sure to dispose of them properly because they contain toxic chemicals.

  • 18 years ago

    Thanks for the info,Meggylou. I asked the question because I have successfully grown toms., peppers, and several other plants under this light in former years. It is a full spectrum light, and I follow all the rules about plant placement beneath the lights, but this year not only are my tomatoes leggy, but my peppers are taking forever to produce their second set of leaves. I'll need to replace it next year.
    P.S. I am quite sure they are tomato seedlings.

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