Leggy Toms ????

Hi guys,

I planted my tom seeds a good while ago in a 4" pot and got a really good germination, i would think around 99% 
The problem is because of a hectic family life i've not had chance to pot them on and they are around 6"-7" tall and quite leggy.
Will i still be able to pot them on or will i be best starting again?

The same goes for my butternuts, pumpkins, cucumbers (etc etc).

Any thoughts greatly recieved.

Andy

Don't forget the aluminium foil!

Aluminium foil placed behind the plants will reflect light & stop them going leggy.

I don't know just how crowded they are but you are going to have to split them up anyway; if they are really tangled up some will probably get damaged but re-pot the undamaged ones and they should thank you for that! Plant them a bit deeper than they were originally growing.

You will know whether you have succeeded in a day or so; it's a bit late for resowing but you've still got that as an option (or buying plants.)

Another thing you can do is, when they've been potted on for a week or two and have side shoots, pinch them out (the side shoots, that is) and root them.  They root in a matter of days and form stockier shorter-jointed plants very quickly.   Works a treat 

Goodness, I wish I had the problem of leggy toms!!! I planted my seeds weeks ago (probably before Easter) and many are still at the two leaf stage with some just sprouting their proper leaves. No greenhouse, so they are in the utility room - I know that I can't rush them, but seeing that everyone else's plants are going leggy makes me wonder what I have done wrong! 

Hmmmm, i never thought of that Granjan.
I think i'll give that a go too, on the just in case side of things.

Do you have to use rooting compount or anything or do you ust pop them straight ino a pot, or do you suspend their bottoms in water?

How do you do it, tell me tell me tell me. 

No I don't use anything.  Just put them in some compost.  Easy peasy 

I asked the exact same thing a week or two ago... i repotted them into big pots as deep as I could and my poor lanky tomatoes are now much happier.  All you forumers are very wise!

My repotting method needs a little bit of refinement but even with rough treatment I've had no fatalities so far.  I'm hoping this bodes well for them being tough when I eventually make them live outside :-)