Author Topic: Tomato Growing Project (Read 14822 times)

BrickStoneOven · « **Reply #40 on:** April 20, 2010, 06:25:08 PM »

I'm glad I went back today because I went there yesterday and they had a whole bunch of them and when I went today they only had 3 left.

mmarston · « **Reply #41 on:** April 20, 2010, 08:27:33 PM »

My favorite seed starters.

http://www.parkseed.com/gardening/GP/listpage/bio-dome

BrickStoneOven · « **Reply #42 on:** April 20, 2010, 09:12:50 PM »

Those look really good, they look better built than the ones that I got and they are cheaper... oh well. Maybe I will get one of those later on to try them out. I have a question though. Should I leave the trays out of sun light till they sprout or should I put them up on my window. It says in the instructions that came with the kit that I should leave it out of the sun light for a little then gradually give it sun light more and more. Any tips would help this is my first time growing things.

Jackie Tran · « **Reply #43 on:** April 20, 2010, 09:38:44 PM »

My first time as well BSO. My kit specifically says to keep it out of sunlight until it sprouts. Guess what? I got sprouts today after 4 days! I'll post a pic later. I keep my kit next to a window but it doesn't get direct sunlight.

Ill post the other instructions Off the box when I get home.

Jackie Tran · « **Reply #44 on:** April 20, 2010, 11:00:03 PM »

Here are the instructions off of my kit.
-After sowing, place dome on tray and place in a warm location away from direct sunlight.
-When first seeds sprout, prop dome open. When all seeds have sprouted, removed dome and put in a sunny location. (They mean by a window or something like that. Sunny but not direct sunlight)
-After first true leaves appear, cut back all except strongest seedling in each pellet. (I don't believe I'll be doing this, as I plan on separating them when the get a bit bigger. I understand the concept behind cutting back to allow for the strongest to survive and get all the nutrients, but these pellets are big enough for them to share).
-Add water to tray when pellets turn light brown. Do not over water. (I added water for the first time after 4 days).
-To harden off plants, place outside in shade for several days (bring plants in at night). Gradually expose to sunlight. (This last statement verifies that when they say to put in a sunny location, it means sunny but inside).

Hope that helps. Hey if you don't mind BSO, keep me posted on your plants with pics. No need to start a new thread, just share this one with me.

Looks like the basil took off first, but there are several tomato varieties that have sprouted as well. Yippee. I hope they make it outside later.

mmarston · « **Reply #45 on:** April 21, 2010, 07:55:31 AM »

Once tomatoes sprout they should be in bright light (some direct sun is ok) for 8-10 hours a day. You don't want to bake them but a window is often not bright enough so you might need a grow light. If they grow without enough light the stems will be thin and weak. Once they get a bit larger they need all the sun they can get.

Jackie Tran · « **Reply #46 on:** April 21, 2010, 08:48:39 AM »

Quote from: mmarston on April 21, 2010, 07:55:31 AM

Once tomatoes sprout they should be in bright light (some direct sun is ok) for 8-10 hours a day. You don't want to bake them but a window is often not bright enough so you might need a grow light. If they grow without enough light the stems will be thin and weak. Once they get a bit larger they need all the sun they can get.

Thanks for the tip. I think I'll transition them outside early while still in the tray but will keep them in the shade. They should have all sprouted by this weekend.
I used to grow tomatoes and lots of other plants with my mom as a kid (a long time ago). We had no grow kits and didn't worry about transition them or hardening them. We just stuck seeds in the ground and they grew.

BrickStoneOven · « **Reply #47 on:** April 21, 2010, 08:57:35 AM »

Quote from: Tranman on April 20, 2010, 11:00:03 PM

-To harden off plants, place outside in shade for several days.

What does that mean "to harden off" are they talking about before I transfer them to be outside all the time?

Quote from: Tranman on April 20, 2010, 11:00:03 PM

Hope that helps. Hey if you don't mind BSO, keep me posted on your plants with pics. No need to start a new thread, just share this one with me.

Will do.

mmarston · « **Reply #48 on:** April 21, 2010, 09:43:41 AM »

Hardening off involves getting the plants used to moderate temperature swings.

If it’s still cold where you live, keep the plants
warm, putting them out in the sun for a few hours
each day. Don’t plant until the air temperature is
consistently above 50° Fahrenheit day and night.

mmarston · « **Reply #49 on:** April 21, 2010, 09:50:54 AM »

Here's a good article about pruning tomatoes.

http://www.finegardening.com/how-to/articles/pruning-tomatoes.aspx

Video also.

http://www.finegardening.com/how-to/articles/pruning-tomatoes.aspx

BrickStoneOven · « **Reply #50 on:** April 21, 2010, 11:16:08 AM »

Thanks for the link it really helped.

Edit: I was reading one of the things on the link and it says you can "save your seeds" are they talking about when the growing season is done you take the plant out of the ground and keep it inside till next year?

mmarston · « **Reply #51 on:** April 21, 2010, 12:03:27 PM »

The seeds are in the tomato itself. Search the web for tomato seed saving and you'll find plenty of advice.

BrickStoneOven · « **Reply #52 on:** April 22, 2010, 01:47:22 PM »

I got a bunch of little basil and oregano sprouts. Once they get a little bigger I'll take some pics.

Randy · « **Reply #53 on:** April 22, 2010, 06:04:29 PM »

Quote from: mmarston on April 21, 2010, 09:50:54 AM

Here's a good article about pruning tomatoes.

I wish you had not posted that.

I went out and bought 9 more tomato plants just to try my hand at it.

Randy

BrickStoneOven · « **Reply #54 on:** April 24, 2010, 08:49:00 PM »

As promised. I have a question though should I start putting them on my window sill yet? There are some that still have sprouted yet and I don't wanna mess those ones up by putting them in the window.

sear · « **Reply #55 on:** April 24, 2010, 09:01:22 PM »

[qujavascript:void(0);ote author=BrickStoneOven link=topic=10762.msg96511#msg96511 date=1272156540]
As promised. I have a question though should I start putting them on my window sill yet? There are some that still have sprouted yet and I don't wanna mess those ones up by putting them in the window.
[/quote]

yes you should give them light now

BrickStoneOven · « **Reply #56 on:** April 24, 2010, 09:08:16 PM »

Also should I keep the cover off and take the heater off the bottom?

Jackie Tran · « **Reply #57 on:** April 24, 2010, 09:42:48 PM »

Nice progress so far BSO. Yes keep the cover off. Don't worry about the ones that have not sprouted yet, they'll come up later. My cilantro took almost twice as long to come up as the others. Yes give them as much sunlight as possible, even outside. I'd take them in at night tho or whenever the temp is below 55f.

I'm not sure about the heating element but I don't think it'll hurt. Just make sure your seedlings don't get too dry, but you also don't want them sitting in water either.

norma427 · « **Reply #58 on:** April 24, 2010, 09:52:04 PM »

Tran,

This is how some of my seedling are growing. I planted two kinds of San Marzano’s, two kinds of basil, 2 kinds of oregano, arugula, and cilantro. I take mine outside each day and then put them in the one bathroom at night. It looks like my are growing slower than yours or BrickStoneOven's

Norma

sear · « **Reply #59 on:** April 28, 2010, 10:00:19 AM »

i tried planting mine in "coco coir"(soil-less medium) for the first time and most of them came up after a couple days. my other plants in soil only a couple things are coming up so far. im gonna have to try starting some more seeds in this stuff