First year growing anything, I planted some sungold tomatoes on Feb 28 and here is where they're at now. When should I up pot? Everywhere I'm looking says after they develop 1-2 sets of true leaves but the roots are starting to poke out the bottom as seen in the second pic. Should I still wait?
by Sea_Extension2397
4 Comments
It’s not the norm to up pot so early, but I do it this way every year. Use something like a pencil or chopstick to help tease them out, and handle gently, only by the leaves, and you’ll be fine. I’ve never lost one transplanted in this way.
Do not repot those yet. They barely have their cotyledons out and the stems are incredibly fragile right now. If you try to move them you will likely snap the main stem or damage the taproot. The root you see at the bottom is just the initial root diving straight down through that chunky woody soil you used. Let them develop at least one solid set of true leaves so the root mass actually branches out and holds the dirt together when you finally pop them out of that container.
You have a bigger issue brewing with multiple plants crammed into a single cup. Once they push out those true leaves you will need to gently tease the root ball apart and pot them into their own individual containers so they stop competing for space. Stop using clear cups moving forward because light hitting the root zone invites algae growth that steals nutrients. Your seedlings also have a deep purple tint which usually means your soil is too cold and locking out phosphorus. Get them into a warmer spot to wake those roots up and push actual vegetative growth.
No rush imo. Easier to work with when more established. Keep the soil moist, not wet and add some soluble fertilizer if you used sterile seed starting mix.
Any drainage holes in those cups? Wet feet will kill them!
Yous got a ways to go my friend. True leaves have scalloped edges. Wait until they’re like 2-3 inches long. Prob needs more water, warmth. And next time, 1-2 seeds per cup.