Common Growing Problems for Tomatoes

[Shawn]

I am NO expert with tomatoes at all but I found a few things I wanted to share. Some may already know these but it may be new to others.



Damping Off: Characterized by a lack of germination or a narrowing of the newly emerged tiny seedlings at the soil line that flop over and die. Various soil fungi are responsible for this condition that are found in any seed starting mix that contains real soil. Also, can be caused by having the plastic that covers your new seedlings tight enough to not permit airflow.

Leggy Seedlings: "Leggy," seedlings means the stems are elongated and limp, flimsy with sparse foliage. Leggy seedlings usually occurs with insufficient or indirect lighting, too much heat, or too much fertilizer. If this occurs for you I suggest you consider re-potting the seedlings deeper in your pot, use a fan to improve air circulation and keep temperatures slightly cooler for stockier and hardier plants.

Slow Growth: Have patience. When seedlings seem to be taking forever to grow, it is usually due to low temperatures or inadequate nutrition. Over-watering: Many growers harm their tomato plants by over-watering. Soggy soil may cause your tomato seeds to rot. Once the seedlings have started, they should be watered thoroughly then left un-watered to dry until they are almost ready to wilt, then water them again.

Over-fertilizing: I've seen this often from over-anxious gardeners. Over fertilizing can actually work against your seedlings. This may cause them to stop growing, to grow too rapidly into spindly plants, or even die. One or two applications of very dilute fertilizer are plenty to get a seedling growing to transplant size.


NOTE: Some pertain to soil projects while some can also hold true for AG projects.

[rebeljean55]

I started 2 pods of Mega Cherry tomato in my Bounty a week ago, 1 pod is doing fine, the other not so good... is this called damping off? Thinking I need to contact Aerogarden for a replacement...

[Shawn]

rebeljean55
Are you referring to this picture?  If so it is hard to tell but it may still come up.  I had this once and I carefully slit the pod to let hte seeds sit lower. However you do take the risk of ruining any roots as well.  I do not recommend this (even tho I did)

[rebeljean55]

Yes, that is the picture of the pod that isn't doing as well as the other, I was referring the previous post about growing problems for tomatoes- I will give the pod more time before I give up on it, thanks!

[passme]

Look at my poor tomato….it’s still producing so Attachment DeletedI’m hesitant to remove it. 

[Sher]

passme, if you trim all the dead branches off, it may put out new branches and new fruit. Ít has worked for me.

[lynnee]

As Sher said, clearing the dead leaves out may give your tomato a new lease on life. My AG tomatoes always want to produce thick canopies of leaves that get twisted together as the plants grow and spread.

When I take these leaves out to improve air circulation, the plants always start producing new leaves and blooms, unless they have actually reached the end of their natural life spans.

[passme]

Thanks ya'll, I'll try thinning it out and see if it keeps producing.