Tomato Seedlings Can't Hold Own Weight

[veggyman]

Hi There

I've been growing some tomato seedlings behind my patio doors. They are currently about 6 inches high, with approximately 4 'true leaves' each.

They look reasonably healthy, apart from the fact that 2 of them seem to be unable to hold their own weight, and look like they are about to flop over. The stems on all the plants are rather thin.

Any ideas why this is? Am I meant to support them with little sticks or something? I find it a bit odd to be honest.

Thanks for any advice!

[wafflycat]

Tomatoes usually do require staking as far as I know. Mine are!

[veggyman]

Thanks Wafflycat. I'm not convinced that mine are at staking height yet. As a temporary measure I've piled on more compost (up to the level of the original 'baby leaves'.) Supposedly if you cover the stems in compost they will start growing new roots, and hopefully strengthen the plants.

[paul]

Hi veggieman,

They may have grown too quick, thus the thin stalks. leave them grow and put thin sticks next to them for support. They should then sort themselves out.

[DavidT]

What variety are they Veggyman?

[wafflycat]

This is how I've got mine supported. Feel free to utilise/ignore, as I'm bound to be making mistakes new at this.

My more established toms



The smaller ones awaiting being put into their final big pots and with more support as they grow



Hope they are of use - even if only as a warning of how not to do it!

[veggyman]

Hi There

Thanks for all your suggestions. I'm afraid I don't know what variety they are - I got the seeds in B&Q, and planted them towards the end of March (they are kept behind a patio door, with modest amount of sunlight.)

They certainly don't look as healthy as yours Wafflycat!?

Piling compost up to the bottom leaves seems to have worked, and prevented some of them from falling over.

[wafflycat]

"modest amount of sunlight"

Maybe someone more experienced will be along to correct me, but the above may be your problem. Once seeds have germinated and are poking through the soil they need light. If they aren't getting enough the'll grow leggy & floppy straining to reach light. That's certainly what happened to some of my seedlings (various plants). Any place you can put them where they get more light?

[DavidT]

Wafflycat what variety are yours? To me they look like a vine variety. If that`s the case, you need to remove the sideshoots.

[wafflycat]

I've got various varieties.. loads.. I was enthusiastic..

[DavidT]

There are 2 types of tomato. Vine and bush, the vine ones you remove the sideshoots the bush ones you leave them on. To get your best crop you need to follow this basic aqdvice.

[wafflycat]

Many Thanks!