I've never planted tomatoes from seed...they have true leaves on them...so is it time to put them in a small pot? ( photo / image / picture from hummerbum's Garden )
I wouldn't move them from a peat pot to transplant them. But, if you need all of the plants take a pencil and gently teasing the roots loose of one of the doubles, lift the transplant out by the leaves, not the stem, and proceed to transplant. IF you don't need all the seedling pinch off the weaker of the two in the cell. As they out grow the cells, break apart the tray you have them growing in and transplant the each peat part/pot into a larger container. Each day don't hesitate to gently brush your hand across the foliage a few times. This will strengthen the stem, making a sturdier plant.
Good advice for those who are participating in the Great Gardenstew Tomato Growing Contest(GGTGC). Jerry P.S. Soon I will have to eat a large tomato to get the seeds. Said the City Slicker who does not have a clue as to what to grow.
Come on Jerry, break down and go buy a ready to plant seedling. I have planted Parks Whopper, Super Fantastic and Beefsteak. We will see which produces the giant tomato for me to enter.
good advice as always from carolyn. rule of thumb for me is repot when first set of leaves come. remeber to repot with most of the stalk covered with dirt.
I Need An Answer Quickly I am going to transplant my seedlings...this may be a crazy question but should i wet them before i transplant to make it easier to separate them...there are 2 in each pot. They are quite dry!!!
Hummerbum, yes, do water them before you transplant. Water them afterwards also and give them a weak drink of fertilizer, if at possible, use one with a high middle number.
Sorry, it is not morning anymore...but check the garden dept of a box store or a garden center for a type that is for vegetables OR a high middle ( phosphorus) number if at all possible. I use an 11-41-8, but this is from a greenhouse supply place specifically for vegetable production and then at the end of the season (about 2 weeks before fruit harvest) we switch to a fertilizer with a high potassium number (or the 3rd number) if you have no choice just use a 20-20-20 ratio fertilizer. But dilute it to 1/2 for the transplanting.
