Purple Tomato Seedlings

8 years ago

Hello all,

I have been growing seeds for about 5 weeks now and they are coming along nicely, the only thing that I have concerns about is the color of the plant. They are not the bright green I would like they are more like a dark green/purplish tint. I have done a few things to try to remedy this, watered it with a very light fertilizer 5-5-5 and also have turned the heat mat on. I have read that if the soil isn't warm enough it can prevent phosphorus intake.

Anyone have any ideas or experience with this???

Thanks!!

Featured Answer

digdirt2

8 years ago

Purpling of young plant leaves and stems is quite common and you'll find many past discussions here about it that the search will pull up. Some varieties seem to be more prone to it than others but it is basically due to their under-developed root system and its inability to transport nutrients, especially P, effectively until the plant get older. It poses no threat to the plants and always disappears all on its own as the plants grow.

Putting them back on the heat mat only increases the problem by stressing the young roots more. Plus your plants are overcrowded so further stressed. They are well ready for individual containers where they don't have to compete for space and nutrients. When you transplant them do it deeply, burying most of that exposed stem and new additional roots will develop.

Dave

Purple stems and leaves discussions

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Comments (7)

PcolaGrower
8 years ago
What variety are they?
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maxjohnson
8 years ago
If they are a blue tomato, such as the indigo variety, then the seedlings can be purplish, mainly the stem. They look okay.
0
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party_music50
8 years ago
Re soil being warm enough, they mean it's best to be at least 60F. Unless your seedlings are growing in a very cold environment, I don't think they'll like the heat mat on at this point. Here's more info on phosphorus deficiency.
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peterson72587
Original Author
8 years ago
They are not a indigo variety, I took the seeds from last years crop so they are either Julia Child or Cherokee. They might have been cross polinated since I didn't cover the flowers with a bag. I will just continue to grow them and see what happens! Thanks. Not sure if it is normal but the first flowers are completely purple underneath the leaf
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Seysonn_ 8a-NC/HZ-7
8 years ago
I've got lots of purple stems and leaves. It is, however, less evident in some varieties. I think it has to do with cooler temperatures. I grew mine at about 64F ( +/- 2). As Dave pointed out it is nothing to worry about.

sey
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Ihave Nonamé
8 years ago
Of my tomato seedlings, I'm really noticing purple stems in the Black Krims.
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