Leggy tomatoes

[ken]

This is more a moan than a query. I delayed sowing my tomato seeds for a couple of weeks later than usual because of the awful weather. They are mostly through now, but already leggy, and the true leaves aren't out yet. The problem is that the conservatory is too cold, and the bedroom windowsill not light enough. (Maybe even the conservatory isn't light enough, given the cloud cover we have.) I appreciate that if and when the seedlings are big enough to plant I can bury the stem quite deep and that will provide additional roots. However, I'm concerned that if they continue to get more and more leggy, they will end up as very weak plants. May have to re-sow...

[Primrose]

I find this is always the problem with trying to get an early start with tomatoes and I now don't sow my uprightones until early mid April for this reason. However, I find the "leggy" problem does not occur quite so badly when growing bush/tumbling tomatoes and I've just sowed these a few days ago. I fear this apring is going to be colder, with less good sunlight for much longer so I would resign yourself to having to resow for the best results, but not until mid April to be on the safe side.

[ken]

Yes - a problem, isn't it? I generally like to sow my greenhouse tomatoes (all cordons) in the first week in March, with a target of picking the first fruit by 1 July. That usually means accepting a certain amount of legginess, but nothing to worry about. I'm not sure it is going to work this year, in spite of delaying sowing for a couple of weeks, as I said. I will also be sowing some outdoor bush tomatoes (Latah) fairly soon, and they are very fast maturing. It would just be nice to see some prolonged sunshine...

[Monika]

Ken, if you do use your leggy seedlings, you can plant them with the potting compost up to right under the bottom leaves. I understand that the long stalk will throw out extra roots.

[Colin Miles]

Hi Ken - I agree with Monika - if you can keep them growing long enough for the weather to improve. But maybe sow some more just in case.

[Westi]

Most of mine haven't even germinated, & I bought new compost! Got up about 2 out of 10 but nursing them for a bit longer before I re-sow. Well I'll give them one more week! Even my Chilli's are sulking & they usually romp away. Something is wrong but can't put my finger on it - new seed, new compost, gentle heat - haven't put my light on much - could it be that but don't usually do that until they are up!

Westi