GardenBanter.co.uk - View Single Post

20-05-2006, 03:14 AM posted to rec.gardens.edible

wrote:

cloud dreamer wrote:

wrote:

My indoor tomato seedlings (four varieties, 2 heirloom, same conditions
as last year) started really slowly this year and now 4 weeks after
germination seem to be slowly wilting--bottom leaves first, no spots or
colour change, not falling over. Any ideas re what I can do? I used
potting soil--is that bad? Would my storebought manure or homemade
compost help?

Is the potting soil new? Potting soil contains enough nutrients to feed
a plant for a season, then needs to be revitalized or (as I do) dumped
onto the bare patches on my lawn or into some of the raised beds.

Other things that I can think of off the top of my head would be the
temperature (too hot in a window perhaps) and pot size...I use 30L
buckets. Tomatoes also like a slightly acidic soil so I usually add some
peat to my potting soil (and no lime).

Thanks, that's helpful--yes it is last year's potting soil. Is there
any hope for them if I transplant them into new stuff? Or feed them a
lot with extra nutrients?

Absolutely, you could transplant them if they're not too big. It would
be easier, at this point to put them into new soil rather than trying to
revitalize the soil they are in now.

When I transplant seedlings, I use a Miracle Gro product I think is
called Quick Start and is meant to invigorate the roots. That'll help
your seedlings if you're able to transplant them into new soil.

..

Zone 5a in Canada's Far East