If seedlings form unnaturally long shoots within a short time, they are anxiously searching for light. This unhealthy growth spurt is called slacking off. You can find out how it is triggered and what to do here.
This is how you effectively prevent germs
The warmth-loving and light-hungry tomatoes can only be planted outdoors and in an unheated greenhouse from mid-May. Therefore, hobby gardeners prefer them in bright, warm rooms. After sowing in early/mid-March, the seeds will germinate within 10 to 14 days. If the temperatures and light conditions are not right now, the seedlings will wither. How to prevent unnatural growth in length:
- relocate the seed tray to a cooler place at 16 to 18 degrees Celsius after germination
- any cover is now removed
- the higher the temperatures, the brighter the location should be
- when the second pair of leaves appears, the seedlings are transplanted into individual pots
In the local regions, normal daylight is barely sufficient to provide tomatoes with enough light for photosynthesis. Experienced tomato gardeners therefore use special growth lamps to prevent them from becoming overgrown. These are light sources that irradiate plants with exactly the right spectrum of light waves.
Save fallen seedlings
If the tomato plants fearfully stretch towards the light, sooner or later they will tip over. As long as the lusted drive does not break through, there is still hope of rescue. Place the plant deep enough in the ground to stabilize the kink. Fresh adventitious roots are now sprout from the subterranean parts of the stem. In addition, the above-ground shoot is tied to a tomato stick.
tips and tricks
Large mirrors have proven to be a clever alternative to expensive plant lamps. If there is room for tomato seedlings on the warm south-facing window of the house, place a mirror behind the planting trays. The reflecting daylight is usually sufficient for the little plants to carry out their vital photosynthesis without spoiling.