It’s my first time growing tomatoes! I’m using a desk lamp as a light (the bulb I’m using is in the last image). They were germinated in a paper towel, then planted on 2/14. I’m not sure if they look leggy or not. Soil is just some potting soil from a plant I had. Temp is kept 70F during the day and 67F at night. North facing window. I’m on a budget so I don’t want to buy another light/heating pad if I don’t need to. I’ve thought about buying a shop light or a fluorescent bulb. Any and all help is appreciated. Thanks!
NPKzone8a
Not enough light. These seedlings will not do well unless they get more light ASAP. Buy a couple of cheap shop lights, LED tube. They don’t use much electricity. Your tomatoes will thank you.
About the heat mat, no need to use after the seedlings emerge (poke through the surface of the soil mix.)
Good luck! Welcome to the club!
EaddyAcres
They need more light, thats why they are so leggy
Personal-Big-1624
It’s hard to see with the resolution and how small they are but they look okay… It’s pretty tough to kill a tomato plant and you don’t need to fertilize for a minute as long as you’ve got good rich organic stool you’ll be fine for a minute. I’m starting my own tomato nursery this year
feldoneq2wire
Sunlight is between 32,000 and 100,000 lux of light. That’s like 250 lux. A fluorescent or LED grow light 2-3 inches from the tops of the leaves is the closest approximation you can get.
chantillylace9
I definitely recommend looking into the double solo cup method where you drill or poke holes in the top and it waters from below
6 Comments
Hello,
It’s my first time growing tomatoes! I’m using a desk lamp as a light (the bulb I’m using is in the last image). They were germinated in a paper towel, then planted on 2/14. I’m not sure if they look leggy or not. Soil is just some potting soil from a plant I had. Temp is kept 70F during the day and 67F at night. North facing window. I’m on a budget so I don’t want to buy another light/heating pad if I don’t need to. I’ve thought about buying a shop light or a fluorescent bulb. Any and all help is appreciated. Thanks!
Not enough light. These seedlings will not do well unless they get more light ASAP. Buy a couple of cheap shop lights, LED tube. They don’t use much electricity. Your tomatoes will thank you.
About the heat mat, no need to use after the seedlings emerge (poke through the surface of the soil mix.)
Good luck! Welcome to the club!
They need more light, thats why they are so leggy
It’s hard to see with the resolution and how small they are but they look okay… It’s pretty tough to kill a tomato plant and you don’t need to fertilize for a minute as long as you’ve got good rich organic stool you’ll be fine for a minute. I’m starting my own tomato nursery this year
Sunlight is between 32,000 and 100,000 lux of light. That’s like 250 lux. A fluorescent or LED grow light 2-3 inches from the tops of the leaves is the closest approximation you can get.
I definitely recommend looking into the double solo cup method where you drill or poke holes in the top and it waters from below