QOn Tomatoe seedlings what are the 1st 2 true leaves?

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Animal_Artist Exeter, ME Apr 05, 2008

When do I take out the weaker seedling? is it when the 1st true leaves appear and are touching the other plant, crowding it. So, is the 1st two little leaves it's true leaves and is that when I take the weakest one out so the other in the cell can grow? Also, if they are all leaning toward my one grow light bulb should I put another next to it so they aren't all growing leaning to the light.

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tarheel2az Tonto Basin, AZ Apr 05, 2008

As the seed sprouts, two little leaves form. They're not true leaves, I forget what they're called, cateledons or something. Within a few days new growth starts at the join of the original two and will form the first true leaves. I usually allow both seedlings to grow for a bit before thinning.

I'd put the seedlings directly under the light so they grow straight or add a second light.


Frank

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WeeNel Ayrshire Scotland, United Kingdom Apr 06, 2008

The little leaves you see right now are the ones all plant form for germination the next leaves and there after are true leaves, for tomato's you dont have to throw away the little seedling that is classed as the weaker one, you can lift it out with a sharp pencil tip and transplant it into it's own little pot to grow on, unless you have lots of seedlings. as for the seedlings growing to one side, if you cant get enough light to them as in all over, then just turn the seedlings every day or so and they will soon grow upright, this is normal for folks who start their seedlings off on a windowsill, the light shines on one side only, so they just turn them around to give even shots at getting enough light, If you are to pot on your seedlings. try to store your compost in the same room as the seedlings so the compost heats to the same temperature as the seeds are growing in, that way your not potting the seedlings into cold compost and it causes less transplant shock, when you water them, keep you watering can in the same temp too and they seedlings wont suffer from too many temp changes, little seedlings dont take to really cold soil or water, when it comes time to feed the plants as they get larger, use a food specially for tomatoes if you keep them in pots as this offers a more balanced food, I dont really start to feed my tomato's till there are at least 2 sets of flowers showing, but everyone finds there own way of doing things, depending on the type of tomato you are growing, hope you have lots of fun doing this growing and a great crop, you wont want to buy shop tomato's again after you start to grow your own, best of luck. WeeNel.

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