Seedlings stunted

[sic transit gloria]

I've been starting my own tomato plants for over 15 years now and have never encountered this issue. I started seeds as I always do, with one exception: the starter mix. I typically use a Metromix (forget the number) for starting seeds. The local supplier went out of business, so I bought a bag of Pennington starter mix. The seeds germinated, as normal, and everything looked fine. Now, about a month later, about half of the seedlings have no second leaves, and those that do have very small ones. I've never encountered this, but it must be the soil. I'm transplanting them into pots, as I usually do, and will use a different mix.

Has anyone ever encountered this? It's very disappointing; I just hope they pull out of it in a new soil.

[Worth1]

Never because I fertilize.
Worth

[b54red]

Give them some fertilizer. If you have any kind of soluble fertilizer give them a dose at about 1/3 to 1/2 the recommended dose. Wait a few days and if they are looking better do it again.

Bill

[sic transit gloria]

Originally Posted by Worth1

Never because I fertilize.
Worth

Perhaps the Pennington has less fertilizer, but I think it does have some. What do you fertilize seedlings with?

[Worth1]

MG plant food water soluble plant food the blue stuff.
Worth

[daylilydude]

Originally Posted by Worth1

MG plant food water soluble plant food the blue stuff.
Worth

I'm with Worth on this and I just mix it full strength... the big side of the scoop to a gallon of water and give that to my seedlings... works for me...

[brownrexx]

Starter mix usually has no fertilizer in it so I give my seedlings a dilute fertilizer when they get their first leaves.

[oakley]

Even a trusted starting mix can change over the years. I prefer a soil-less mix as most
starting mixes are.
Fresh seed has all it needs to sprout and grow for a few weeks. Its tap root soon starts
to look for food. The seed itself has the embryo and endosperm, its suitcase, full of
starter food. That is quickly used up.
Potting up mix has a bit what it needs but a diluted liquid fert is a gentle way to help
out.
In nature a fruit will produce many more seeds to help germination rates. We need and
desire many more than that % so we need to help that along.

I use organic food rather than synthetic so you have choices. Neptune'sHarvest is my
go to fert early on. Shake well and dilute by minimum 1/4. I even go less early on.

I'd rather not risk burning the growing root structure. (the pic above looks pale and
over-fertilized to me)...but could be the pic quality.

A month is a bit long to keep food away.

[Allura]

I encountered a similar situation with my seedlings also by using a different medium than usual. All of my seedlings are very small for their age (1 month) and some barely put out tiny first leaves. I decided to transplant them all into Organic Pro-Mix two days ago and I could swear they already look better! I'm hoping the runts will eventually catch up. Good luck on your tomato babies, I think the new soil and some food will do them good.

[daylilydude]

Originally Posted by oakley

Even a trusted starting mix can change over the years. I prefer a soil-less mix as most
starting mixes are.
Fresh seed has all it needs to sprout and grow for a few weeks. Its tap root soon starts
to look for food. The seed itself has the embryo and endosperm, its suitcase, full of
starter food. That is quickly used up.
Potting up mix has a bit what it needs but a diluted liquid fert is a gentle way to help
out.
In nature a fruit will produce many more seeds to help germination rates. We need and
desire many more than that % so we need to help that along.

I use organic food rather than synthetic so you have choices. Neptune'sHarvest is my
go to fert early on. Shake well and dilute by minimum 1/4. I even go less early on.

I'd rather not risk burning the growing root structure. (the pic above looks pale and
over-fertilized to me)...but could be the pic quality.

A month is a bit long to keep food away.

It's just that I used my camera phone... trust me there is nothing wrong with those plants!

[heirloomtomaguy]

Temperature can greatly effect the growth of your plants. If it has been cold where you house your seedlings they will take quite a bit longer to progress. Beyond that is the fertilizer issue.

[edweather]

A "little" fertilizer, 1/4 strength, on seedlings is fine. One year I destroyed my seedlings by over fertilizing.

[sic transit gloria]

The blue stuffium worked wonders. Thanks for your collective input. Out of curiosity, do you all use regular side-dressing of fertilizer in the garden for your tomato plants as well?

[daylilydude]

Originally Posted by sic transit gloria

The blue stuffium worked wonders. Thanks for your collective input. Out of curiosity, do you all use regular side-dressing of fertilizer in the garden for your tomato plants as well?

Now i'm only speaking for myself, but yes I do side-dress when I start seeing flower buds... I use a 9-12-12 fertilizer and it works for me.

[Yak54]

Originally Posted by sic transit gloria

I've been starting my own tomato plants for over 15 years now and have never encountered this issue. I started seeds as I always do, with one exception: the starter mix. I typically use a Metromix (forget the number) for starting seeds. The local supplier went out of business, so I bought a bag of Pennington starter mix. The seeds germinated, as normal, and everything looked fine. Now, about a month later, about half of the seedlings have no second leaves, and those that do have very small ones. I've never encountered this, but it must be the soil. I'm transplanting them into pots, as I usually do, and will use a different mix.

Has anyone ever encountered this? It's very disappointing; I just hope they pull out of it in a new soil.

Over the years I have experienced exactly the same situation as you describe. Starter mixes are not equal and when I get what you describe, I do just as you do, that is to use a different mix when transplanting to individual pots. And as others have mentioned I also give them a shot of diluted fertilizer to speed up their growth. All will be well.