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Tomato Panic

Help! My tomato seeds don't seem to be sprouting! I don't know what I'm doing wrong. I'm using peat pots in seed trays, which I've used for a few years now. I've got the plastic covers on snug to make it all green housey, are they too wet? I'm not sure how wet they should be, in the past I never used the covers, and drying out was their problem, not being too wet.

Then there's the heating pad. I've never used one before, and I don't know what the temp. is on it. Is it possible it's too hot? It just feels warm, not hot.

I just don't know what could be wrong. I've got some old seeds (3 that already sprouted) but also some brand new seeds - and none of them has sprouted! I feel like I'm already behind on my tomatoes, and if these seeds don't work, I'll need to start over and be even more behind.

Am I just panicking? Is there something else I should be doing? Anyone have any pointers? Help!

Check out the Minnesota Stories video for more "tomato panic" details!

April 11, 2006 in Secret Gardening | Permalink

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What's the tempature if the soil? I think it needs to be at least 70 deg. F. I use a heater pad unnerneath my pots, works great!

Posted by: Norm at Apr 11, 2006 8:47:26 AM

Hmmmm, I'm not sure how to take the temperature of the soil. Do I just ask it to say ahhhh and stick a regular old thermometer in?

I think the temp must be at least 70 though, I'm worried that it's too high. Is that detrimental to tomato seeds if it's 80 or over? I know pepper seeds like it about 80, and I'm sure they wouldn't mind it over that, I just don't know about the tomatoes.

Posted by: Lorika at Apr 11, 2006 10:00:18 AM

When we put the heating pad under six rows of peppers and two rows of tomatoes, they popped up in a week. We put the pad under another tray of tomatoes planted at the same time and they sprouted three days later.

Posted by: stephen at Apr 11, 2006 3:05:55 PM

Thanks guys.

I decided to leave the covers off the trays last night (when it would be dark anyway) and I think that helped, because.....I had 2 new sprouts up today! Unfortunately they were again the old seeds - one more Yellow Pear and a Green Zebra. I've never been able to get a Green Zebra to sprout before for some reason, so that's even more puzzling.

I do think that the problem is wetness, so I'm gonna get both trays to more of a moist, and then not start out so wet with future seeds. If I don't get sprouts on some of my new seeds in a couple days, I'm gonna replant them. I WILL have a rainbow of tomatoes dammit!

Posted by: Lorika at Apr 11, 2006 10:21:54 PM

My only suggestion would be to stop using peat pots or pellets. I don't think they give enough room for the roots to develop, and the germination rate is awful. Try using ordinary potting soil or vermiculite seed starting medium. I use potting soil; a friend uses vermiculite, and both of us are getting good germination rates. It's important to keep the heating pad on continously, and turn off the lights at night. Some seeds won't sprout in constant light or dark. I've started 6 types of tomatoes, 3 types of pepper, and 1 eggplant.

Goodluck with the Tigrellas when they come up. It was a new variety for me 5 years ago, looked very pretty, and had a horrible cracking problem.

Posted by: Laurie at Apr 11, 2006 10:37:22 PM

Thanks Laurie. I've been rethinking the peat pot thing this year, I've read lots of things that say they are not so good. Problem is, I've got a ton of them now! I stocked up this spring because of all the seeds I want to start indoors.

Now I'm kinda torn, do I use them up and not buy them next year, or do I switch now to something better? Hmmmm, I've got some thinking to do.

And on those Tigerellas, I grew them a couple years ago, I guess in my first real gardening year, and I loved them. They are pretty and small, so you don't have to commit to some big tomato feast - ( don't always want that!) and of course they are tasty! I also recall it was a pretty good producer, I don't recall them cracking much though. Uneven watering can crack any tomato as far as I understand. I always have a few tomatoes crack, 'cause on a hot day, I just can't water 'til I get home from work, and those puppies are just gonna have to wait.

Posted by: Lorika at Apr 12, 2006 10:31:08 AM

Hi Lorika, just a few thoughts...

First, how's your seed depth?
Second, I suggest holding the panicing until after the next full moon, which conveniently happens tomorow.
Finally, http://www.almanac.com. They have a ton of resources and rss feeds too!

Good luck!

Posted by: tom at Apr 12, 2006 9:03:01 PM

Thanks Tom. I actually just read a post over at In My Kitchen Garden that mentioned the moon phase gardening thing. I had never considered it before, but the stars were aligned so to speak. I read that today is a good planting day, and the rest of my tomato seeds came today, so I planted them when I got home. I will avoid planting tomorrow, but be extra watchful for seeds sprouting during the full moon - on the 13th no less - my lucky number!

As for my planting depth, I *might* have planted some a little too deep as a few of my old packets said 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep. Plus, I'm kind of a deep planter anyway. I gotta get over that! I was very careful to plant tonight at 1/4 or maybe even a titch less. I also tried planting in some novel containers (for me). Thinking that peat pellets are not all they are cracked up to be.

I planted in 2 small yogurt containers with holes punched in the bottom, and a 6 cup plastic egg carton - also with holes, and the top makes its own greenhouse! I just hope it's not too shallow. I used regular organic potting soil, that's all I had and I figured it'd work fine.

Posted by: Lorika at Apr 12, 2006 11:38:24 PM

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