A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The Plants and Flowers Forum The Seed and Cuttings Exchange seedling problems

hi! I have a problem growing plants from seeds. They germinate and grow but are thin and week. My tomatoe plants are about 6inches tall but are thin and laying down. I planted them about the 15th of March, used soil for seedlings and I had them under the "grow light" the entire time. I don't know what I'm doing wrong. Please help!

I would say that you are not leaving the growlight on long enough or you do not have the plant close enough to the growlight. If it is the florescent or purple kind it needs to be within a few inches of the plant.

Also starting soil doesn't have any fertilizer in it so you will need to add it once the plants develop true leaves. You need to use one with a high 2nd and 3rd number rather than one with a high first number.

Tomatoes are heavy feeders and need to be transplanted into a soil mixture that is 50% compost and 50% garden soil. This and the fertilizer should help your tomatoes become happy and healthy. If it is working the leaves will curl up somewhat in response to the new conditions. This is normal.

Good luck with your seedlings.

I'd have to second what TKhooper said. She knows her stuff. Also, if you are planning on repotting your tomatoes, you can plant them deeper so they aren't so tall. The plants will form roots on the stem where it contacts the soil.

How long do you leave the plants under the growlight? They need around 12 consecutive hours (at least) to not be leggy.

Congrats on the new seedlings!