Helpful tips to prevent tomato seedlings from overgrowing

Tomato seedlings grown indoors often overgrow, and it's too early to plant them, so the problem arises: how to slow the seedling's growth. A reliable indicator of tomato legginess is the distance between the nodes on the seedling.

If it's too big, it means the tomato is overgrowing. It's important to know what causes seedlings to stretch, how to prevent it, and what to do if these tips don't help.

Reasons why tomatoes stretch

There are several reasons why tomato seedlings overgrow, but they are related to the fact that they are not being maintained properly.

• Lack of light. Tomatoes are sun-loving plants. Seedlings on a windowsill suffer from insufficient sunlight because, even through the glass, they don't receive the required amount of light. The room may be on the side with the most sun, but the plant will still stretch. Tomatoes planted during the months when sunlight is minimal require additional lighting.

Special lamps are used for supplemental lighting because incandescent lamps are not suitable for plants. Their radiation is unsuitable for seedlings and can cause burns due to the high heat they generate.

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Tomatoes are illuminated with LED, fluorescent, or phytolamps. This lighting is turned on morning and evening, depending on how much sunlight the seedlings receive.

• Lack of space. Seedlings that are planted too closely together also outgrow their growth. This happens because one seedling obscures another with its leaves, causing competition for space and light. They stretch upward to obtain their required amount of light, but grow weak and stunted. Even supplemental lighting doesn't prevent the plants from outgrowing. As the seedlings grow, they become larger, and the distance between them increases. This stretching doesn't depend on the pot size; plants can be planted even in smaller containers. The key is to space them out sufficiently.
• Temperature. For indoor seedlings, the rule is: the less light the tomatoes receive, the colder the room. Tomato roots germinate in cold temperatures, while seedling stems germinate in warm temperatures. Therefore, excessive heat can cause plants to overgrow. The ideal daytime temperature for tomatoes is 20-23°C, and nighttime temperatures are 9-10°C.
• Watering and fertilizing. Careful care and fertilizing stimulate the seedlings to grow taller. Water tomatoes only when the soil dries out. Fertilize the plants carefully. Nitrogen fertilizers stimulate rapid growth. The seedlings take on a vibrant green hue and stretch out, but their leaves curl inward.
• Incorrect sowing time. Sow the seeds at the optimal time. Don't worry or rush this, as tomatoes may ripen during the colder months, making it impossible to plant them outdoors. If you don't have supplemental lighting, purchase it first and then sow the seeds.

Prevention of seedling stretching

The plants are planted in soil enriched with potassium and phosphorus. Potassium inhibits cell growth by thickening the sap in the plants. Phosphorus directs energy toward the development of the tomato root system. The soil is a combination of peat, sand, and dolomite flour. Chicken manure is sometimes added.

The soil for seedlings requires additional nutrition because it contains almost no nutrients beneficial for tomatoes. However, it's important to monitor the amount of fertilizer applied and use nitrogen-rich fertilizers sparingly.

Prepared soil for nightshades is a good option for beginning gardeners. These crops are very demanding, so this soil already contains the correct dosage of potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen. If the tomato plants are left in the pot for a long time, add vermicompost. For seedlings, a normal ratio is 50%. A few percent wood ash can be added, but be careful with the dosage. Excessive amounts of this substance significantly slow growth.

What to do if tomatoes have already stretched out

Overgrown seedlings don't need to be thrown away; they can still be saved with the help of ready-made herbal remedies and folk recipes.

1. Ready-made products. Pesticides are used to slow stem growth. The product "Athlete" stops stem growth but stimulates its expansion. The seedling stops stretching, and the root system strengthens. "Athlete" is available in ampoules that last for a week. After 6-7 days, the tomato will grow again, and another ampoule can be used. Dissolve it in 300 ml of water and spray the plant on the leaves and stem.
2. Folk remedies. If you don't want to use chemicals, you can use folk remedies. For tomatoes, digging up the stems helps. The plant is moved to a deep container, burying the root as deeply as possible. New roots quickly emerge from the buried root.
3. An unconventional method. The trunk is cut off where 2-3 leaves are located. The cut section is placed in water. After a few days, roots will sprout, and the new seedling is transferred to a pot with soil. Side shoots—offshoots—grow from the other cut section. These are also placed in water and then buried in soil. The side shoots are planted so that their curved lower portion is covered with soil.
4. In situations where seedlings become very elongated and lose their rich green color, other methods are used. Pale plants are a sign of nitrogen deficiency. Proper dosing can prevent problems with rapid growth. Mix a full spoon of urea in ten liters of water. Water the tomato plants with this solution. After this, move the pot to a cool room with a temperature of up to 8°C. If everything is done according to the instructions, the plant will regain its rich emerald color and even stop growing vigorously for a while.
5. A plant that has stretched out and fallen is a sign diseasesBlackleg attacks tomatoes, causing them to wilt. In this case, the seedlings are discarded and the soil treated with Fitosporin, a potassium permanganate solution, or another fungicide. However, it's best to use different soil for the other seedlings; this is the most effective method.

Methods for planting elongated tomatoes in open ground

Even following the rules for sowing seedlings does not always prevent them from overgrowing. Therefore, if possible planting tomatoes in open ground in such optimal ways.

Kazarin's dry method

This method involves creating extreme conditions for tomatoes by limiting their watering. The tomatoes are planted in the ground but not given any water. The roots begin to grow in search of moisture. By the time the fruits ripen, the tomatoes have developed an extensive root system.

• dig holes up to 10 cm deep;
• half a bucket of compost is poured into the hole and mixed with a glass of ash and 1 gram of potassium permanganate;
• pour in half a bucket of water;
• tomato seedlings they are divided and the leaves are removed from the lower part;
• the stem is placed in a hole and covered with soil;
• pour another half bucket of water on top;
• if the top lies on the ground, it is left like that, then it strengthens and rises on its own;
• Tomatoes are not watered all summer.

You can water the tomato plant after the fruit appears, but this will reduce its flavor. It's hard to resist watering it when it starts to wilt. However, once the roots have strengthened, the tomato plant will straighten itself out.

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Planting slightly elongated seedlings

Seedlings half a meter or slightly longer are not planted deeply. Otherwise, energy is wasted on root growth, and the ovaries and flowers die.

• make a hole with an additional depression to fit the size of the glass;
• water and plant long stems without covering them, leave them in this position for a couple of weeks;
• the tomato takes root, the hole is filled in;
• After planting, drive a stick into the ground and tie the stem to it.

Planting overgrown tomatoes

Stems that have grown to a meter are not planted vertically in the ground.

• make a long furrow and water generously;
• leaves are removed from the lower half of the stem;
• the plant is planted in a lying position, deepening the stem so that a top of 20-30 cm remains;
• the stems are secured with staples;
• fill with soil, leave a depression, water again;
• The top of the seedling is secured vertically with a peg.

Overgrown seedlings aren't a reason to give up and throw away the stems. First, identify the root cause and address the issues. Then, try to slow down the overgrowth. If that's not possible, try replanting these plants. The key is not to panic, but to follow the step-by-step instructions to ensure delicious and healthy tomatoes.