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Tomato newbie
Tomato newbie
Posted by Hamlaker
from MN
on 2001-03-20 16:20:20
Tomatoes from seed.
1....Where can I find out when the last
frost of my area happens??? I've read
that this tells you when to start the
seed but I have no idea where to find
this date. I live in Ham Lake, MN.
2...I bought some seed starting kits
that come with plastic humidome. When I
start the seeds when do I take this dome
off?????
I'am new to this indoor seed raising, In
the past I've gotten tomato plants from
family and friends. i would like to
strike out on my own this year. Would
like to experiment with trying the sweet
100's and grape variety. Any info would
help. Thanks mike
-
Seed starting
You got some great advice previously. I'd like to add a few comments from my experiences with starting tomatoes. Use a soilless sterile mix, (like Jiffymix) to plant seeds in and fungal disease occurance can be reduced considerably. Light is a huge factor in the success of seedlings. A shop-light hanging over the seed containers at a distance of 4-6 inches can provide a well controlled temperature and give emerging seedlings the needed 14 hours of daily light they need to succeed.(Years ago, I put seedlings in a sunny window to grow. They got leggy and dampened-off due to the inconsistency of light and weather in March.) Domes can be preferrable in retaining heat to help seeds germinate quicker under lights, but should be removed shortly after germination as stated. Fan for air circulation is a great idea. Once the second, or true leaves emerge(@2 weeks)go ahead and fertilize with a water soluble mixture containing miracle gro or another fertilizer that has a higher middle #, phosphorus. TexasA&m and Ohio State have very helpful co-op extension sites on this matter. Good luck.
Posted by RB from MD 6b on 2001-03-21 21:58:02
-----
-I have a couple questions about raising
-Tomatoes from seed.
-1....Where can I find out when the last
-frost of my area happens??? I've read
-that this tells you when to start the
-seed but I have no idea where to find
-this date. I live in Ham Lake, MN.
-2...I bought some seed starting kits
-that come with plastic humidome. When I
-start the seeds when do I take this dome
-off?????
-I'am new to this indoor seed raising, In
-the past I've gotten tomato plants from
-family and friends. i would like to
-strike out on my own this year. Would
-like to experiment with trying the sweet
-100's and grape variety. Any info would
-help. Thanks mike -
zone
The link takes you to a map that gives
Posted by Kimm from 4b/5a on 2001-03-20 16:22:47
average frost dates.
Those domes are meant to help keep the
starting media moist and warm, so keep
an eye on them when you do start those
seeds and if moisture collects enough to
begin looking like a rain forest lift
them and let it dry out some. Take the
domes off when you see that the seeds
sprout.-
domes
Those seed domes are the worst thing
Posted by Byron Bromely from 5a on 2001-03-20 16:23:59
since Martha Stewart in the garden.
To prevent Damp-off, a seedling fungal
disease, you need air circulation. You
can't circulate air if you have a cover
on it.
Toss the cover or use it for a drip tray
-
air circulation
I haven't had the problem of damping off
Posted by Mary from IN on 2001-03-20 16:25:03
because of the flat domes...but I let in
a little air each day, and as soon as
the seeds sprout, I take the tops off. I
think they are great! Been using them
for years. Another trick to prevent
damping off is to have a little
oscillating fan in the room, so that the
air is in motion several hours a day.
-
-
