Tomatoe growth

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

Hello,

So i've recently tried planting tomatoes and they're about 3 weeks now. Ive already transplanted them to a 4" pot abd used organic garden soil. Just wanted to ask if they are growing correctly since someone mentioned that they look small for a 3 week old sprout. Any tips or suggestions would be appreciated. attached are pics of the tomatoes seed used and 3 week old sprouts.

Featured Answer

daninthedirt (USDA 9a, HZ9, CentTX, Sunset z30, Cfa)

9 years ago

The size of seedlings is highly dependent on temperature. You haven't said what temperature these seedlings have endured. They look just fine, but you can't expect them to be much larger if they've been growing in a cool area.

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Comments (6)

digdirt2
9 years ago
If those are 4" pots then yes the plants are small plus they have some true leaves so they need to be fed now. Your "organic" soil will not provide nutrients for them as there is no soil bacteria there to pre-digest the organic additives so the plants can use them. Feed them with a pre-digested liquid fertilizer that is diluted to 1/2 strength.

One of the problems with small plants in pots that are disproportionate, too big for them, is the excess amount of water in all that soil and the water table that is created. It slows root development and that slows top growth. So ideally the container should be only slightly larger than the height and drip line of the plant top.

And if the mix in that container is soil rather than a soil-less growing mix it will also compact and create additional problems for roots. Only soil-less mixes are recommended for use in containers, especially small ones.

You can find out much more about all this in the many discussions over on the Growing Tomatoes forum here.

Dave
Alfred Sa-onoy thanked digdirt2
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Alfred Sa-onoy
Original Author
9 years ago
Thank you for the feedbacks. I'm from southeast asia so we normally get 80-83℉ all throughout the year. The organic garden soil ive bought is also a soil less mix, would you recommend using this for my other sprouts? Im also planning to buy a organic liquid fertiziler today. Again, thanks for all the answers.
Donna R
9 years ago
They may be on the small side, but I'd rather have them, than tall leggy plants reaching for light. They look like they have nice thick stems on them.

I think the fact that they're only 3 weeks old, and recently transplanted have probably slowed them down a bit, but it looks (to me), like you're on the right track. In another couple of weeks, you'll be surprised how much they've grown!
Alfred Sa-onoy thanked Donna R
Alfred Sa-onoy
Original Author
9 years ago
Thank you @Donna. They actually look healthier now that ive transplanted them. Will post new photos here soon.
Alfred Sa-onoy
Original Author
9 years ago
Tomatoes at 4 weeks old.

Dont have access to grow lights but i always make sure they get sufficient water and indirect sunlight atleast 6-8 hrs a day. Day temp would be around 86-88℉

Am i doing it right? Would appreciate feedbacks and suggestions.