Growing tomato plants from seeds?
Posted by pano | Under Herb Garden Thursday Aug 12, 2010My tomato seedlings have taken forever to sprout, and are nothing close to being like what i see at the garden centers. Everything else grew up and sprouted well, my squash my letuce, herbs, etc. What did I do wrong? They are extra fancy organc ones too. Could they be late blooming variety? Some are beefsteaks.
Im aware that not having a greenhouse is a factor, but what’s the best environ for tomato sees cause i seem to be doing something wrong.
Mind you, the goal is to gather seeds every year and grow from them. That is the plan. If i get my own land then I"ll have a greenhouse. Till then, what do y’all do?
Im guessing i need a greenhouse-like set-up, but money is an issue. Should I be using grow lights?
hey someone’s thats pretty cool i never thought of that! you have to have a breathing hole though right? Yes, no?
MIdnight that makes sense, I actually dry them first before planting. However, they are so tiny its almost impossible to do what you say. Have you done this before?
Goodness no you do not need a greenhouse!! Just put the seeds in a pot, and put plastic over the pot and fasten it with a rubber band to make your own little greenhouse. Or, I have also put them into one-piece plastic containers that have a clear lid attached and fold shut. I have often done this and they come up in about 7-10 days. I start them in February for planting in April or May. (Oregon)
Greetings,
All it not lost.
It is very difficult to start tomato plants from seeds without a greenhouse. Timing is important. Start the seeds about a month before you can transplant the plants to the outsides. In Idaho we start our seedlings in April…then we transplant to the outsides after the last frost…which is May 15.
You might want to get some plants and just transplant.
Enjoy those tomatoes.
S1lent
Tomato seeds take a hell of a long time to sprout, maybe even as long as two weeks, maybe longer. Keep them moist. I’ve grown my tomatoes from scratch last year and this year, and they start off real slowly.
Maybe next year I will start them in January. I started mine back in March and the tallest one is now 6 1/2 inches.
You can improve the germination rate by washing the jelly off the seeds before planting, you put them in a dishcloth and hold it tight, run it under water and gently rub. Tomatoes grow well in pots, they can be moved to where it is warmer/sunnier if you live in colder climates. Drink containers can chopped in half, with the bottom holding the plants and the top placed over them to keep them warm too. If the moisture builds up too much, just take the lid off for a bit.