Growing your own tomato seedlings is not an easy task, requiring attention and a professional approach.
Gardeners often face the problem of weak and elongated seedlings that cannot develop normally.
The primary cause of seedling stretching is insufficient light. Young plants begin to stretch upward in search of sunlight, which leads to the formation of thin and weak stems.
Gardeners need to provide seedlings with maximum lighting; it is advisable to use additional phytolamps.
Increased room temperature also becomes a critical factor. When the temperature exceeds the optimal values, plants begin to grow quickly, but form a weak root system.
The ideal temperature for growing tomato seedlings ranges from 20-22 degrees during the day and 16-18 degrees at night.
Excessive soil moisture is a serious problem for seedling development. Over-moistening leads to root system diseases, decreased immunity and weakening of plants.
Gardeners are advised to control soil moisture by using only settled water at room temperature.
Seeds and soil quality play a significant role in seedling development. Using poor quality seeds or a nutrient-poor substrate can cause poor plant growth.
Professionals advise using specialized soil mixtures for tomatoes and purchasing seeds only from trusted nurseries.
Regular fertilization is a prerequisite for normal growth of seedlings.
The lack of essential microelements causes plants to weaken and become prone to stretching. Experts recommend using complex fertilizers containing nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus in balanced proportions.
