Hello Tomato friends!
This is my second year starting tomatoes indoors. Last year didn't go very well but I learned things and I'm hoping to do better this year.
These are some heirloom Rainbow Mix tomato seeds that I started almost 3 weeks ago. I could have sworn I only put 3 seeds in each cup (I wasn't sure about the germination rate – they're Mackenzie's from Rona) but here we are and this cup looks like it has 8 plants?
Couple questions here, hoping you can help:
1. Is there any possibility that this tomato typically has multiple shoots or something so that this might be really like 3 plants instead of 8? Or is this really like 7 too many germinated seeds in one cup?
2. Am I better off separating them or just letting them be? I'm thinking that they might be better off if I separated them but I'm also not sure if I waited too long which brings me to my next question
3. If one is going to separate tomato seedlings, when is the best time to do that?
4. Any tips are appreciated:). I'm in zone 5b in Canada but these have been started indoors.
Thank you if you bothered to read this and happy growing!
by PeopleOfTheSalt
2 Comments
This isn’t multiple shoots. I’d separate them or thin them out if you don’t want that many plants. You can separate fine once they have true leaves so they’d be ok doing now. Just give them a day or two without light after separating so they adjust to transplant shock:) ALSO they don’t need a heat mat once they’re germinated.
I’ve never heard of multiple shoots, but curious to see what others think. In terms of splitting, I would split them sooner than later (the longer you wait, the more the roots will be interwoven). And when you replant them, bury most of the stem as these are a bit leggy.
Edit: to add, perhaps start a new batch as you’re prob 1.5 months still away from you last frost date. And these might be giants by then