New to growing your own tomatoes? This is the forum to learn the successful techniques used by seasoned tomato growers. Questions are welcome, too.
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April 5, 2017 | #1 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Westerville, Ohio
Posts: 14
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Tomato and Pepper seedlings: Fertilizer?
Hi all,
I wanted to ask the community what they think about using fertilizer for tomato and pepper seedlings. Does it help or hurt the new plants? I have been starting my own tomato and pepper seedlings for several years, and they always grow well but I wonder if fertilizer might help. I have used the Jiffy organic mix as a starting medium the past few years, which has no fertilizer. Thanks in advance for all comments and suggestions.
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'Imagination is more important than knowledge." -A.E. |
April 5, 2017 | #2 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Pewaukee, Wisconsin
Posts: 3,149
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I don't know how you missed this information since it is all over the place, but most of us fertilize our seedlings once they have their first true set of leaves. Most, but not all, use a mix of fertilizer at 1/2 strength and only feed sparingly.
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~ Patti ~ |
April 5, 2017 | #3 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Mechanicsville, VA zone 7a
Posts: 97
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What MissS said... plus a little bit of Epsom Salts dissolved in a small spray bottle works nicely to darken the leaves up..
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"The task of the modern educator is not to cut down jungles but to irrigate deserts." C.S. Lewis |
April 5, 2017 | #4 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Santa Maria California
Posts: 1,014
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My solo cup seedlings are a little light in color. Should I add a pinch of plant tone or tt. Also, is thirty inches enough room between plants in raised beds?. Jimbo
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April 5, 2017 | #5 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Pewaukee, Wisconsin
Posts: 3,149
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Yes, go right ahead and add a pinch of either one. As for the spacing, it depends on how you intend to prune and stake them. What are you planning on doing?
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~ Patti ~ |
April 6, 2017 | #6 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Santa Maria California
Posts: 1,014
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April 7, 2017 | #7 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Illinois, zone 6
Posts: 8,407
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I starve my young plants as much as I can, because they are exposed to cold temperatures. The worst part about excess fertilizer in the media is that when it is cold, your beneficial bacteria die off, and the nutrients are then consumed by pythium, alagae, and other detrimental organisms.
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April 5, 2017 | #8 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Lincoln, NE
Posts: 192
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I would always mix at 1/2 strength and somehow still manage to burn the heck out of my seedlings.
So, this year, after they were potted up (about 1-2 sets of true leaves) I used fox farm ocean forest mix, which contains tons of bat guano, crab meal, bone meal, ect... My seedlings look awesome so far, and NO BURNING! |
April 5, 2017 | #9 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Santa Maria California
Posts: 1,014
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Thanks MissS . I'll have overhead cable similar to Gerardo's setup, with clips and strings. Like to go single stem with pruning, except for determinants I only have one or two of those.
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April 5, 2017 | #10 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Pewaukee, Wisconsin
Posts: 3,149
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Quote:
Enjoy the garden!
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~ Patti ~ |
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April 6, 2017 | #11 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Den of Drunken Fools
Posts: 38,539
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I use full strength Blue MG.
Its not the mix it is how much. Tricky on small seedlings. I use the spout they have to make mixed drinks to measuer by way of counting. I feed then water. 1/2 is fine too but they do need to eat like the rest of us when they are babies. Just not as much. In the little octagon cells it is just a wee bit, maybe a teaspoons worth or less. Be prepared for them to grow like crazy. Worth |
April 6, 2017 | #12 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Vancouver Island
Posts: 5,931
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I am experimenting this year with slow release granules.
I used about 1/4 tsp per plant of miracle grow shake and feed for tomatoes fruit and vegetables. (9-4-12) with calcium and other micronutrients: magnesium, iron ,copper, sulphur,zinc, iron and manganese.So far they are looking very good. How they will be in the long run remains to be seen. The one time app at planting was convenient and so far no evidence of either deficiency or leaf tip burn or sign of excess. Had it leftover from a year or two ago when I used it in hanging baskets. I do notice the pros use granular osmicote or other long acting slow release granules in potted plants and baskets. Thought I would give it a try. I will use it again when I pot them up from the cell packs to quart pots. KarenO Last edited by KarenO; April 6, 2017 at 01:17 PM. |
April 8, 2017 | #13 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Westerville, Ohio
Posts: 14
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KarenO, those are amazing.
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'Imagination is more important than knowledge." -A.E. |
April 8, 2017 | #14 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Vancouver Island
Posts: 5,931
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April 8, 2017 | #15 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Den of Drunken Fools
Posts: 38,539
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Quote:
Works great in the tomatoes too. I used up some from stuff I had for years last year with great results in my beds along with everything else I tossed in. Worth |
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Tags |
fertilizer , pepper , seed starting , tomato |
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