Seedlings not growing(pics)

[Southern Gardener]

Here are a couple of pics

I started these on March 5th. I looked at my notes from last year and I had used Miracle Gro Organice Seedling Mix and they did much better last year. I seperated some of the seedlings last night and used the MG I had left over and the rest I feed "Plant Tone" from Burpee.

 

[journey11]

They look pretty healthy and sturdy... I'd say they're just stalled out. I'd go ahead and give them a the diluted miracle gro and turn the heat up a little. Tomotoes like it hot. When the situation gets to their liking, you'll be surprised how quick they can take off.

 

[boggybranch]

I planted my maters on the 20th of January and they have just gotten their first true leaves. They'll be alright.

 

[lesa]

I really don't like those pots.. try soaking them, so the actual pot gets wet. A little water from the bottom works well, too. Good luck!

 

[vfem]

I'm using those pots as well... I like to start my tomatoes in those, and then by the second set of true leaves I transplant them into HUGE peat pots and bury the first set of leaves. Then I plant them outside 80% deep.

Probably over done, but I liked the results last year A LOT!

Anyways, I really think they are fine.... heat would probably help. Maybe a heating pad underneath on low? That's what I did with my peppers and tomatoes...

my peppers are still rinky dinky!!!

 

[HunkieDorie23]

I don't know why but last year mine seedling did the same thing. They were just really slow starting. Even after they were in the garden. This year everything seems fine. I don't know but I think that they knew something I didn't. It was unseasonably cold last year and I think that they knew it even when they were inside and they were not too much of a hurry to be growing yet.

 

[Southern Gardener]

I'm using those pots as well... I like to start my tomatoes in those, and then by the second set of true leaves I transplant them into HUGE peat pots and bury the first set of leaves. Then I plant them outside 80% deep.

Probably over done, but I liked the results last year A LOT!

Anyways, I really think they are fine.... heat would probably help. Maybe a heating pad underneath on low? That's what I did with my peppers and tomatoes...

my peppers are still rinky dinky!!!

I bought a seed heat mat from Burpee - and it wasn't cheap! :/ - I did try that and it fried them. I woke up and the seedlings were slumped over and the pots were dry as toast and they were sitting in a cardboard box top. I gave them a drink and they perked back up, thank goodness.

It's been very cool here - it actually snowed yesterday - so I moved the whold kit and kaboodle in my bathroom which is on the south side of the house and put a heater on them.

I'll have to put a thermostat on the mat I guess. :/

 

[Lavender2]

If your seedlings are getting temps between 60 and 70 degrees, personally, I would not add extra heat. They need the extra heat for germination, but excessive heat will dry the soil too fast, as you experienced. Too much heat will cause fast plant growth, leggy plants, even with them under proper lighting.
They are concentrating on root development and will take off when ready

I rarely fertilize seedlings, unless it's something that must be kept in pots for many weeks, like some perennials.
Most things shouldn't need much, if any, if started at the proper time.
Tomato seedlings

Some have success with the peat pots, I have not. The clincher was a few years ago. Impatien seedlings in peat pots stalled out at about an inch and a half... the ones I had in plastic pots (same seed, same growing medium) were 3 inches and starting to bloom. I find it impossible to keep the moisture from being wicked to the pot without keeping the soil wet.... causing mold, fungus, over watering, etc. Better to water thoroughly and let top soil dry out between watering... they just did not work well, for me anyway. :/

 

[boggybranch]

Here's a pic of how "far along" my maters have come since being planted on January 20th.....( you can, also, see how well paper pots 'hold up')

 

[HunkieDorie23]

Boggy those are some nice paper pots. Do they have bottoms or are they only on the sides? Do you unwrap the your plants before you put them in the garden or do you live the wrapping on?