Learn what not to do when growing tomato seedlings. Gross mistakes can ruin your harvest.
1. Soaking Seeds Too Long
Seeds should be soaked in warm water for 12 to 24 hours, or in stimulating solutions for 3 to 12 hours.
2. Choosing the Wrong Soil
Select high-quality soil for seedlings. Homemade soil should contain compost, sand, and peat. Don’t forget to disinfect the soil before sowing by frying, scalding, or sprinkling it with fungicides.
3. Rushing to Transplant
Sowing seedlings too early can cause them to stretch, overgrow, and become deformed or affected by black leg. If conditions aren’t optimal, wait until mid-March to plant your seeds. Postpone any manipulations for a few days to protect your seedlings.
4. Insufficient Light
At the beginning of spring, seedlings require light for at least 12 hours a day. Once they appear, place them in bright light immediately. If natural light is inadequate, consider installing additional lighting.
5. Ignoring Temperature Control
Seedlings dislike extreme temperatures. Keep the temperature between 22 and 25 degrees after sowing and before emergence. Once leaves appear, lower the temperature to 14 to 16 degrees. Adult seedlings can handle temperature fluctuations of 4 to 8 degrees.
6. Overwatering
Watering should be consistent but not excessive. Spray seedlings once they emerge and before leaves appear. Afterward, water carefully to prevent moisture on the leaves and stems.
7. Planting Seedlings Too Closely
Avoid densely sowing seeds. When you dive them, ensure each seedling has space—about 10 cm by 15 cm for each bush—to develop a healthy root system and aerial growth.
8. Over-Caring for Seedlings
Frequent disturbances can harm seedlings. Focus on timely watering, occasional pinching, and inspections. Avoid over-fertilizing; feed seedlings a week after picking and allow at least 5 days between feedings. Limit transplants, treatments, and soil loosening.
9. Neglecting Overgrowth
If you can’t transplant due to poor conditions, limit feeding, reduce temperatures to 15 degrees, and move seedlings to larger containers to manage overgrowth.
10. Skipping Hardening
Seedlings dislike drafts. Start hardening them two weeks after picking, gradually increasing exposure to the outdoors during the day while bringing them back inside at night.
By avoiding these common mistakes, you’ll grow healthy, strong seedlings and reap a bountiful harvest!
