It is believed that tomato seedlings from all vegetable crops are the least problematic when growing. But there are still unpleasant exceptions. Sometimes the stem begins to stretch, and spots of unknown origin appear on the leaves or the tips dry out. These problems can be easily avoided, and if they did not have time, then they can be solved.
Tomato seedlings are pulled
The main reason for this problem is insufficient lighting of the plants. Most often, seedlings are grown on small windowsills, in small boxes. I want to grow seedlings to the maximum, so a large number of plants grow in one container, which interfere with each other. Tomato seedlings should grow freely so that each seedling has free access to light. If necessary, you need to use additional lighting in the dark.
Another reason may be incorrect temperature conditions. At elevated air temperatures, the stem of plants becomes thinner, and the leaves lose strength. The average daytime temperature in the room should be in the range of 25-28 degrees, and with increased cloudiness - no more than 20 degrees. Indoor "tropical climate" will only harm tomato seedlings.
It is very important to follow the rules for watering seedlings. Water the plants only after the soil is completely dry. Excess moisture in the soil can also cause the seedlings to stretch out. You also need to be careful with feeding. They are introduced into the soil only when there are good reasons for this - the growth of the plant has slowed down, the color of the leaves has changed. Excess fertilization will lead to negative results.
Tomato seedlings turn pale and yellow, the leaves dry out and fall off
Here it is worth reminding again about proper lighting and moderate watering. Find a well-lit place in the room for seedlings, and sometimes take it out to a glassed-in balcony or loggia. Do not overdo it with watering either - tomatoes do not like constant humidity. The soil should dry out completely. Only then can it be watered.
You can try to save problem plants by applying a transplant to a new container and different soil. When transplanting, you need to thoroughly rinse the roots and make sure that they are in a healthy state. The affected roots indicate that the plant will definitely die, and there is no point in replanting it.
Tomato seedlings with white roots should be placed in slightly damp soil. Immediately carry out preventive watering with a weak manganese solution (no more than twenty milliliters for each plant) and place the containers with seedlings in a well-lit sunny place.
If the roots are slightly damaged during transplantation, then the seedlings may wither in bright light. In this case, it is better to keep the plants in partial shade for some time until they get stronger. In the future, it is worth observing all the usual care rules for tomatoes - a sufficient amount of light and moderate watering.
With timely proper watering and good lighting, problems with leaves on seedlings can only be due to a lack of some nutrients. Various dressings will be able to compensate for their lack. The main thing is to correctly identify this missing element. The changed color of the foliage will help in this.
The tips of the leaves dry out in tomato seedlings
This problem, which is common in many plants, can have many different causes.
One of the most common reasons is too dry indoor air. If this is true, then dry tips of the leaves will be not only in tomato seedlings, but on all plants at once. You can raise the level of humidity using any containers with water, which are placed next to the plants.
Another reason may be "salty" soil. It is visible on the characteristic spots of white or yellow on the surface layer of the soil. Such soil not only does not provide the seedlings with the necessary nutrition, but also takes some nutrients. Because of this, the entire plant suffers, but primarily the leaves.
This condition of the soil happens due to unnecessary fertilizing and the use of hard water for irrigation. You can save the seedlings. To do this, you need to get rid of the topsoil and replace it with a new one. In the next fifteen days, you should not apply any fertilizers. For irrigation, it is advisable to use only purified or melt water.
And another possible cause of this problem may be a lack of potassium. It is usually found in acidic soils. To compensate for the deficiency of this nutrient, you can use several dressings. As a fertilizer, an infusion based on wood ash or on a banana peel is suitable.
Ash infusion is prepared from boiling water (one liter) and wood ash (about one handful). The ash is poured over with boiling water and insisted until it cools down to room temperature. For irrigation, take five liters of water and add one liter of infusion to it.
Another infusion is prepared from three liters of water and two tablespoons of banana powder (dried banana peel is ground into powder). After insisting for a day, the dressing is ready for use.
Spots on tomato seedlings
Very often sunburns on plants look like this. Direct rays of the sun are contraindicated for tender tomato seedlings. With prolonged exposure to the sun, transparent or white specks may appear on the leaves. You can save the plant by creating shady conditions for it or by spraying with special preparations (for example, Epin).
White spots on the leaves of tomato seedlings may indicate the presence of a fungal disease (for example, septoria). It is advisable to get rid of the affected plants as quickly as possible so that the rest do not become infected.
As a prophylaxis against fungal diseases, the soil for seedlings must first be kept at sub-zero temperatures or thoroughly warmed up.
Black leg of tomato seedlings
Prevention of this disease should be soil preparation for tomato seedlings. It must contain wood ash. In the future, you must strictly follow the rules for caring for seedlings. Favorable conditions for the appearance of this fungal disease will be an excess of moisture in the soil and a very high temperature in the room.
When signs appear black leg on plants it is quite difficult to save them, and sometimes it is already impossible. You can try replanting the surviving plants in a different soil and a new container. Wood ash and sand (previously calcined) must be added to the soil. All plants must be sprayed with Fundazol and do not water until the soil is completely dry.
