Watering my tomato plants

Sully1 · March 10, 2015

My tomato plants were started from seed under shop lights on January 22, 2015 and transferred to 4" round peat pots but are still under shop lights 24/7. I have been circulating air with a small fan and still burning lights around the clock while maintaining temps around 70 degrees. How often do I water using Miracle Grow Tomato plant food while plants are still under lights and when should I stop using the shop lights?

Some of the leaves are starting to turn yellow but, containers still feel moist to the touch. I plan to plant in my hot beds after last projected freeze. I'm a "newbie" when it comes to growing anything and any advice will be greatly appreciated!

Have moved my lights up higher and just started turning them off at night as of yesterday. Also, as suggested, I have decided to back off on fertilizer use. I have been watering about once a week. The leaves of my plants are turning a little yellow on the top and I haven't quite figured out how to take pictures of them and post just yet. I'm definitely not the sharpest pin in the cushion! lol

Stvrob · March 10, 2015

How much longer till they can go outside? Sounds like its time for fresh air and sunshine.

Worth1 · March 10, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stvrob

How much longer till they can go outside? Sounds like its time for fresh air and sunshine.

They need to go out now.

This is perfect weather for them to acclimate to being outside.

Worth

luigiwu · March 11, 2015

Why were they ever under lights 24\7? Plants even seedlings need rest too, no?

Cole_Robbie · March 11, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by luigiwu

Why were they ever under lights 24\7? Plants even seedlings need rest too, no?

There was a discussion about that in a recent thread. I don't think there is any conclusive research on that question as it relates to seedlings. I have always used 24 hour light and done fine. Maybe I'm wasting electricity, but in the early spring when I start seeds has cool weather, so the lights help keep everything warm.

Gardeneer · March 14, 2015

The general consensus about light seems to be 16/24 on ; 8/24 off. That is roughly how I do it.
Plants also need some darkness to rest. That is how it is in the nature.
Just my opinion.

ginger2778 · March 15, 2015

I find that the majority of actual growth during that young time is at night while the light are off. Nature does it that way, daylight, and then darkness, so who are we to change what nature does? Also, I think they have been under the lights a wee bit too long. Most start hardening them off in full shade, then 20 minutes sun, then 40, then 60, then 2 hrs, 4 hrs, 6 hrs, then full sun, after about the second set of true leaves, or even at the first set. If weather permits, of course.
The yellowing leaves are probably from overwatering, that's the usual cause.
You can give them a single tablespoon of epsom salts mixed with 1 gallon water as your next watering, and the yellow will go away, but let them dry out a bit first.

March 10, 2015	#1
Sully1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Beaumont, TX Posts: 7	Watering my tomato plants My tomato plants were started from seed under shop lights on January 22, 2015 and transferred to 4" round peat pots but are still under shop lights 24/7. I have been circulating air with a small fan and still burning lights around the clock while maintaining temps around 70 degrees. How often do I water using Miracle Grow Tomato plant food while plants are still under lights and when should I stop using the shop lights? Some of the leaves are starting to turn yellow but, containers still feel moist to the touch. I plan to plant in my hot beds after last projected freeze. I'm a "newbie" when it comes to growing anything and any advice will be greatly appreciated! Have moved my lights up higher and just started turning them off at night as of yesterday. Also, as suggested, I have decided to back off on fertilizer use. I have been watering about once a week. The leaves of my plants are turning a little yellow on the top and I haven't quite figured out how to take pictures of them and post just yet. I'm definitely not the sharpest pin in the cushion! lol

March 11, 2015	#4
luigiwu Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: ny Posts: 1,219	Why were they ever under lights 24\7? Plants even seedlings need rest too, no? __________________ Subirrigated Container gardening (RGGS) in NY, Zone 7!

March 10, 2015	#2
Stvrob Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 1,413	How much longer till they can go outside? Sounds like its time for fresh air and sunshine.

March 14, 2015	#6
Gardeneer Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: NC - zone 8a - heat zone 7 Posts: 4,916	The general consensus about light seems to be 16/24 on ; 8/24 off. That is roughly how I do it. Plants also need some darkness to rest. That is how it is in the nature. Just my opinion.

March 15, 2015	#7
ginger2778 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Plantation, Florida zone 10 Posts: 9,283	I find that the majority of actual growth during that young time is at night while the light are off. Nature does it that way, daylight, and then darkness, so who are we to change what nature does? Also, I think they have been under the lights a wee bit too long. Most start hardening them off in full shade, then 20 minutes sun, then 40, then 60, then 2 hrs, 4 hrs, 6 hrs, then full sun, after about the second set of true leaves, or even at the first set. If weather permits, of course. The yellowing leaves are probably from overwatering, that's the usual cause. You can give them a single tablespoon of epsom salts mixed with 1 gallon water as your next watering, and the yellow will go away, but let them dry out a bit first.