Beginner Gardening: 1st time on forum 1st time growing veg from seed HELP!!, 1 by Gymgirl

Gymgirl wrote:
I've had the white "fluff' before on tomato seedling soil. Looks sort of like fine webbing or light mold?

I asked Dr. Carolyn Male who advised that it might be an airborne mold spore. Quite harmless. It settles on the soil from the air.

I used a chopstick to scrape it off. No problems with my seedling growth...

I start my tomato seeds in a covered greenhouse, or a seed tray placed inside a clear plastic baggie. I vent each system to control the amount of condensation inside, but keep them covered JUST UNTIL THE VERY FIRST TOMATO SEEDLING DECLARES (peeps -- pops -- shows itself, etc...).

Then, the greenhouse cover/baggie is removed, and the seedling tray IMMEDIATELY goes under grow lights. I use regular 12T fluorescent light tubes. Lights are kept no further than 1-2" from the tops of the tomato seedlings, and remain on at least 14-17 hours per day, on a timer.

NO FERTILIZER to the tomato plants until after the 2nd set of true leaves.

I add one capful of Hydrogen Peroxide to a gallon of water and top water until after the 1st set of true leaves come on.

Then, BOTTOM WATER the tray with regular water, allow the plants to take up what they want, then use a turkey baster to remove any excess water after about 15-20 minutes.

NEVER allow the plants to sit in a tray of water overnight!! I DO water late at night (out of necessity), but I remove the excess before retiring -- I can measure overnight plant growth each morning, too, LOL!

YELLOWING leaves could indicate too much water, or possibly a nutrient deficiency, so pay attention to what your plants tell you -- they do have ways of communicating. Most recommend NOT fertilizing tomato seedlings until you transplant them out. I tried that several times, and my babies rebelled. So, when they tell me they're ready for baby food, I give them a very, very, very LIGHT application of something, to tide them along.

After the 1st true leaves come on, aim a gently breeze at the seedlings, just enough to lightly move their leaves. This helps strengthen them, and beef them up.

If the leaves start turning PURPLE on the undersides, the seedlings are too wet and cold. Make an adjustment. Think "Blue Babies" from the 40's. Baby plants do the same thing, only their color of choice is purple.

Hope these tips help you along. Call me (dmail) if you have any trouble. I'll watch this page.

Linda