How much / often do YOU water during hardening off??

RomanX · March 25, 2015

I've been watering daily after their daily outing, since my index finger (stuck into the transfer cup) is dry past the second knuckle. They're in individual 8 ounce transfer cups, they ALWAYS look dry = even after bottom watering for 30 minutes.

Seedlings have several sets of true leaves and look and smell like miniature tomato plants.

Is this the right way?? Is daily watering normal??

Also, some seedlings (I have a few different varieties) have very long seed leaves that are becoming paler than the rest of that seedling. Is this normal???? A symptom of over-watering??

KarenO · March 25, 2015

Definitely keep them moist. Might be time to get them in the ground pretty soon an 8 oz cup cannot hold enough moisture for a tomato plant with several sets of Leaves.
KarenO

Patihum · March 25, 2015

It's normal for the cotyledons to yellow and fall off.

shelleybean · March 25, 2015

I agree, 8 oz. is not much soil and the wind will dry it out quickly. As soon as you finish the hardening off process, get them planted.

ginger2778 · March 25, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by shelleybean

I agree, 8 oz. is not much soil and the wind will dry it out quickly. As soon as you finish the hardening off process, get them planted.

+1

bughunter99 · March 25, 2015

Are you bottom watering? When you water from the top you can get channels that go straight through and does not saturate the whole container. If you bottom water, it seeps up and you know when the top of the container is wet that all the container is wet. I bottom water once a week with half strength neptunes fish and seaweed fertilizer. If there are out there on windy days, drying can be faster and I may water again with just water on those days.

Stacy

RomanX · March 26, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by bughunter99

Are you bottom watering? When you water from the top you can get channels that go straight through and does not saturate the whole container. If you bottom water, it seeps up and you know when the top of the container is wet that all the container is wet. I bottom water once a week with half strength neptunes fish and seaweed fertilizer. If there are out there on windy days, drying can be faster and I may water again with just water on those days.

Stacy

Yes, I bottom water daily after bringing them inside - before I put them back under the ligghtws. I let them sit and drink for thirty minutews.....but the top of the3 growing medium ALWAYS is dry and crumbly.

Tracydr · March 26, 2015

It's a little too early. We're having a very cold weekend coming up. Don't plant just yet, unless you have a way to protect them.

Cole_Robbie · March 27, 2015

Watering frequency depends a lot on temperature. I water when the container feels light, and hopefully just before the plant starts to wilt. If I can feel any water weight in the flat or container, I try to wait longer before watering.

March 25, 2015	#1
RomanX Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: North Carolina Posts: 119	How much / often do YOU water during hardening off?? I've been watering daily after their daily outing, since my index finger (stuck into the transfer cup) is dry past the second knuckle. They're in individual 8 ounce transfer cups, they ALWAYS look dry = even after bottom watering for 30 minutes. Seedlings have several sets of true leaves and look and smell like miniature tomato plants. Is this the right way?? Is daily watering normal?? Also, some seedlings (I have a few different varieties) have very long seed leaves that are becoming paler than the rest of that seedling. Is this normal???? A symptom of over-watering??

March 25, 2015	#4
shelleybean Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 2,648	I agree, 8 oz. is not much soil and the wind will dry it out quickly. As soon as you finish the hardening off process, get them planted. __________________ Michele

March 25, 2015	#2
KarenO Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Vancouver Island Posts: 5,922	Definitely keep them moist. Might be time to get them in the ground pretty soon an 8 oz cup cannot hold enough moisture for a tomato plant with several sets of Leaves. KarenO

March 25, 2015	#3
Patihum Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Southeast Kansas Posts: 878	It's normal for the cotyledons to yellow and fall off.

March 25, 2015	#6
bughunter99 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: zone 5 Posts: 821	Are you bottom watering? When you water from the top you can get channels that go straight through and does not saturate the whole container. If you bottom water, it seeps up and you know when the top of the container is wet that all the container is wet. I bottom water once a week with half strength neptunes fish and seaweed fertilizer. If there are out there on windy days, drying can be faster and I may water again with just water on those days. Stacy

March 26, 2015	#8
Tracydr Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2011 Location: Laurinburg, North Carolina, zone 7 Posts: 3,207	It's a little too early. We're having a very cold weekend coming up. Don't plant just yet, unless you have a way to protect them.

March 27, 2015	#9
Cole_Robbie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Illinois, zone 6 Posts: 8,407	Watering frequency depends a lot on temperature. I water when the container feels light, and hopefully just before the plant starts to wilt. If I can feel any water weight in the flat or container, I try to wait longer before watering.