Useful tips so that tomato seedlings do not grow

Tomato seedlings grown in the room often outgrow, and it is too early to plant it, so the problem arises - how to slow down the growth of a seedling. It is precisely determined that the tomato stretches, according to the distance between the nodes on the seedlings.

If it is too large, then the tomato is overgrowing. You need to know what affects the drawing of seedlings, how to prevent it and what to do if the tips do not help.

Reasons for pulling tomatoes

There are several reasons for overgrowing tomato seedlings, but they are due to the fact that it is not properly contained.

• Lack of light. Tomatoes are photophilous plants. Seedlings on the windowsill suffer from a lack of sunlight, because even through the glass they do not receive the norm of light hours. The room may be on the side where the sun shines more, but the plant still continues to stretch. Tomatoes planted in those months when the sun shines to a minimum are additionally illuminated.

For illumination, special lamps are used, because incandescent lamps are not suitable for plants. Their radiation is not suitable for seedlings and leaves burns on them due to the large heat release.

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Tomatoes are illuminated with LED, fluorescent or phytolamps. This illumination is turned on in the morning and evening, depending on how long the sun illuminates the seedlings.

• Lack of space. Seedlings, which are sown densely, also outgrow. This is due to the fact that one seedling covers the leaves with another and a competition for space and light begins between them. They stretch up to get their lighting rate, but grow weak and frail. Even additional illumination does not save plants from overgrowing. Seedlings grow, become larger, and the distance between them increases. Pulling does not depend on the size of the pot, plants are planted in a small container. The main thing is to expose them at a sufficient distance.
• Temperature. For room seedlings, the rule applies - the less tomatoes are lighted, the colder the room. At low temperatures, the roots of tomatoes sprout, and in warm temperatures the stem of a seedling. Therefore, the plant overgrows from excessive heat. For tomatoes, the daily rate is 20-23 ° C, and the nightly rate is from 9-10 ° C.
• Watering and top dressing. Careful care and top dressing stimulate the drawing of seedlings. Tomatoes are watered only when the earth dries. They also feed plants with caution. Nitrogen fertilizers provoke rapid growth. The sapling acquires a bright green tint, is extended, but its leaves twist inward.
• Incorrect sowing dates. Sow seeds at the optimum time for this. Do not worry and rush with this, because tomatoes can ripen in the cold months, and they can not be planted in open ground. If there are no lamps for additional lighting, then they are first acquired, and then seeds are sown.

Prevention of drawing seedlings

Plants are planted in soil enriched with potassium and phosphorus. Potassium inhibits cell growth due to the fact that the juice in plants thickens.Phosphorus directs energy to the development of the root system of tomatoes. Peat, sand, dolomite flour are combined in the soil. Chicken manure is sometimes added.

Land for seedlings needs to be fed, because it contains almost no substances useful for tomatoes. But you need to control the amount of fertilizer and carefully use top dressing with nitrogen.

Ready soil for nightshade crops is a good way out for beginner gardeners. These crops are very finicky, so in such a soil the correct dosage of potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen is already. If the tomato is in the pot for a long time, add vermicompost. For seedlings, the normal ratio is 50%. A few percent of wood ash is mixed in, but the dosage is carefully monitored. Excess of this substance provokes a strong growth retardation.

What to do if tomatoes are already stretched

Overgrown seedlings do not need to be thrown away, it can still be saved with the help of ready-made phytochemicals and folk recipes.

1. Ready-made tools. Retardants are used to slow the growth of the stem. The drug "Athlete" stops the growth of the stem, but stimulates its expansion. The seedling ceases to stretch, and the root system is strengthened. "Athlete" is released in the form of ampoules, the validity of which is a week. After 6-7 days, the tomato grows again, and you can use another ampoule. It is dissolved in 300 ml of water and the plant is sprayed on the leaf and stem.
2. Folk remedies. If you do not want to use chemistry, you can do it with folk methods. Digging up the stem helps for tomatoes. The plant is moved into a deep container, burying the root deeper. From it, new roots quickly appear in the place of deepening.
3. Custom way. The trunk is cut where there is 2-3 leaf. The cut off part is placed in water. A few days later, roots sprout, and a new seedling is transferred to a pot with soil. On the other circumcised part, stepchildren grow - branches that also put into the water, and then they are buried in the ground. Stepsons are planted so that their lower curved part is covered with soil.
4. In those situations when the seedlings are strongly stretched and lose their saturated green color, other methods of control are used. The pallor of the plant is a sign of a lack of nitrogen. With the right dosage, problems with rapid growth are avoided. In a dozen liters of water, a full spoon of urea is stirred. This solution is watered with tomato. After the manipulations, transfer the pot to a cool room with a temperature of up to 8 ° C. If everything is done according to the instructions, then the plant returns a saturated emerald color and even ceases to grow intensively for some time.
5. An elongated and fallen plant is a sign disease. The "black leg" affects tomatoes, causing them to wither. In this case, the seedlings are thrown away, and the land is treated with Fitosporin, a solution of potassium permanganate or another fungicide. But it is better if other soil is used for other seedlings, this is the most effective way.

Methods for planting elongated tomatoes in open ground

Even compliance with the rules of sowing seedlings does not always help from overgrowing. Therefore whenever possible planted tomatoes in open ground in such optimal ways.

Dry method of Kazarin

The essence of this method is to create extreme conditions for tomatoes, limiting their watering. Tomatoes are planted in the ground, but do not give water. The roots begin to grow in search of moisture. By the time the fruits are poured, an extensive root system is formed in the tomatoes.

• 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 g. potassium permanganate;
• pour half a bucket of water;
• tomato seedlings separated, and leaves removed from the bottom;
• the stem is placed in a hole, covered with soil;
• pour another half of a bucket of water on top;
• if the top lies on the ground, they leave it like that, then it strengthens and rises on its own;
• tomatoes are not watered all summer.

After the appearance of the fruit, you can water it, but taste will suffer from this. It is difficult to resist and not water the bush when it begins to fade. But after strengthening the roots, the tomato straightens itself.

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Planting a little elongated seedlings

Seedlings, the length of which is half a meter or a little longer, are not planted deep. Otherwise, the energy goes to root growth, and the ovaries and flowers die.

• make a hole with an additional recess in the size of the glass;
• long stems are watered and planted, without falling asleep, they are left in this position for a couple of weeks;
• the tomato takes root, the hole is filled up;
• after landing drive a stick into the ground, tie a stem to it.

Planting strongly overgrown tomatoes

Stems that grow one meter do not plant vertically in the ground.

• make a long furrow and generously shed;
• leaves are removed from the lower half of the stem;
• plant the plant in a supine position, deepening the stem so that the apex of 20-30 cm remains;
• stems are fixed with brackets;
• fall asleep with earth, leave a recess, water again;
• the top of the seedling is fixed with a peg vertically.

Overgrown seedlings are not a reason to drop the case and throw out the stems. First they understand the reasons, eliminate the problems. After that, they try to slow down the growth. If you can’t slow down, apply methods of planting these plants. The main thing is not to panic, but to use consistent instructions to get tasty and healthy tomatoes.