As the tiny tomato seedlings began to emerge from the seed starting mix the other day, I shot a few photos of the progress. Because the shelf is so long (8 ft.), it required 2 different pictures to get everything.
Photo below - these are all Cherokee Purple - around 96 of them, I think.....there's a few more to the right, which weren't captured in the shot. In all, there's about 130 CP planted.....
Photo below - here's more of the same, along with several Mortgage Lifter, Brandywine, Neves Azorean Red, and bell peppers at the very end. In all, 210 cells were planted in this propagation system.
Photo below - I really enjoy seeing this phenomenon. As the tiny seedling emerges into this world of ours, it's hard to believe that it'll provide several large Cherokee Purple tomatoes for someone's family later on. At this stage of growth, it's important that it receives as much light as possible, or it will become leggy. Once all of them are up, i'll only run the lights 16 hrs/day.
Photo below - here's a shot of the trending data for 12 hours. The blue and red lines are the only ones of concern, because they represent the 2 propagation systems currently being used. Toward the right of the screen, you can see that the temperatures dropped below the control parameters while I was tending to them. When left alone, the temperatures are always kept between 60 and 65 degrees - regardless of the temperature in the shed.
In a couple of days i'll show some photos of the current growth, and all of the cells should be occupied by some type of plant. Peppers are alway the last things to pop up, and that's what i'm waiting on.
BTW, I guess you figured out from the germination photos that i'm growing lots of varieties not listed in my initial tomato schedule. This is because I received alot of various seeds from Trudi, and just have to try at least one of each. Also, there will be no Green Giant grown this year, because I can't find my seeds, dangit! hehe...I don't know what happened to them. Oh well, maybe they'll make their prescence known before next year.
Also, i'm only utilizing 2 of the 3 propagation systems currently, at a total of 338 plants. If some of them start to get crowded, i'll fire up the 3rd system. It's good to have room for expansion.....
Take care, and happy gardening!
EG
16 comments:
So many seedlings. I only have one light right now and I'm quickly running out of space. I need to get another one soon.
This is impressive!
I see that your lights are placed high above seedlings. As far as I have been reading, they should be as low as possible. I’m growing seedlings under lights for the first time, so just trying to see different approaches... Will you keep lights this high always, or will you bring them down?
That's a lot of seedling trays EG! If I remember correctly, you plan to sell the extra starts? Despite gardening all of my adult life, I still am amazed at the miracle of plant emergence and early growth.
Daphne - Oh, there's more in the chamber. I'll show it tomorrow...
vrtlarica - I only raise the lights to take pictures of the cells. Normally, the bulbs are within an inch of the tops of the plants.
kitsapFG - yes, I will sell about 90% of the plants, and currently have orders for around 250 of them.
I know you said your goal was to sell most of these off. How are you going to package them? Will you put them in larger containers, or leave them in this size and plastic baggie the roots and soil?
ribbit - most of them will be for coworkers, so i'll just wrap them in paper towels or something. Any that aren't sold quickly will be potted up into cups.
I don't think my brain could handle that many seedlings...
So, at what point do you re-pot them into larger pots? Also, what is the growing medium that these seedlings are growing in? At what point do you add fertilizer (and what type)?
Momma_S - it's really no big deal once they all establish themselves. However, 400 will probably be the limit for me.
bc - For your own plants, you'll want to pot them up when the seedlings have their first set of true leaves. Most of mine won't be potted up - only sold at the size of the cells.
Wow, that is a lot of cell packs! and not a label out of place, military precision :-)
Duuuuuude EG - you're turning into Mr. Wizard - this hokey scientist on Nickelodeon back in the 80s - LOL. Not that you're hokey, but you CHARTED your 'mater growth? You're hard core. I love that about you. What are you going to do with all those tomatoes? You can't possibly have enough room in your garden for all of them, right?
Things are loookin good there EG...I can't wait to try growing the Cherokee tomato seeds that Thomas sent me...I understand they are excellent.... I too like knowing the plants I grow are providing food for others...it's a good feeling :)
OMG, that's a lot of seedlings! I have just over a week to get my setup going and my soil blocks ready, it's going to be a madhouse around here for me.
I can tell that it's nice and bright in there! It's gonna be a lot of work to pot up that many tomatoes! I'm excited to read about your tomato transplants endeavor!
Dan - it sure is, and I guess the labels are lined up pretty well, huh?
Kate - I'm charting the temperature so that I can see if there were any discrepancies while i'm away from them. Just like a little helper - if you will. Most plants will be sold, as I only have room for 24 in my garden.
Sunny - the CP will change your whole outlook on tomatoes - trust me....
granny - I'm assuming you're back home? (I haven't had time to check anyone's blogs lately). Anyway, yeah, i've got a few seedlings! I'm sure you'll get everything ready in time. Best of luck to ya!
Thomas - very bright indeed....
They are almost miraculous at the beginning, huh? Mine have their first true leaves, and I'm going to have to start feeding them very soon. Then the fun of potting them up, moving them in and out, oh yes.
And I have to buy Roma and San Marzano seeds today, too.
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