My tomatoes are about 2-3 inches tall now do you think I should replant now? They are about to fall over. one week old tomatoes ( photo / image / picture from margie12u's Garden ) ( photo / image / picture from margie12u's Garden ) moderator's note: added a more descriptive title to topic
I would wait until the true leaves appear, which shouldn't be long. At that point they get thicker stems as well.
Jane gave me advice about this happening when I started some flower seeds recently. Here's what she suggested "...if you put 1 tsp. of baking soda in 1 c. water, and use that as a mist, it also helps damping off (which is when the seedlings simply fall over and die, usually with a dried area on the stem just above the soil line). " I'd guess this works for tomatoes too?
Keep the baking soda/water mister handy, but you don't need it yet. Those are baby plants, some haven't even shed their seed shell. Get the light source closer to them to keep them from getting leggy, and wait until the true leaves, preferably the second set of true leaves, appear before you repot, as Masket suggested. Those look like nice seedlings, and you'll probably have an abundance of tomato plants and tomatoes!
Yes, I would do the first transplant now....right up to the leaves. When transplanting pick the little plantlets up by the leaves, not the stems (if you habe to touch the plants at all).
I agree about waiting for the first true leaves. Right now the seedlings are still trying to establish a good root system. And moving the light closer to the seedlings is very important to avoid leggy plants. So give it another week or so with the lights about 2-4 inches above the leaves.
I would wait a couple of weeks before transplanting from bed !! They do need more good light !! That will slow the legginess down !!
