So I started a whole bunch of tomatoes, peppers, herbs, and flowers and most everything came up around FEB 1st. I started them out in tiny cells then they were put into dixie cups. I used a homemade potting soil and I fed them twice with a liquid fertilizer. They got so big I had to transplant my tomatoes and peppers to 2 quart containers. Room was running out so I put all the dwarf tomatoes, herbs, and flowers outside a week ago and transplanted them all 2 days ago. My indeterminate tomatoes are around 2 foot so I put them with the rest of my plants outside today. These plants got bigger a lot quicker than I anticipated.
I don't know if this is a good thing or a bad thing. All my plants are being transplanted sooner than planned. But on the flipside I will get tomatoes and peppers earlier. My dwarf tomatoes already got flowers. I left my lights on my seedlings for 16 hours, was I supposed to cut the hours after some time? Also, all my other tomatoes and peppers all have flowers too. Should I be pinching them? Some people say to leave them because the plant will decide if it can support the fruit. But I also hear that earlier flowering/fruiting can be a sign of stress and should be pinched so the plant can focus on roots.
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PunkRotten
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rainbowgardener
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You are in southern calif. It should be plenty warm there by now? In which case, the sooner they go out, the better. Off to a quick start is good. I don't know where in SoCal you are and there are lots of different climates, but if you are in a hot, dry summer area, you want your tomatoes started early, because they may shut down in the heat of summer.
Pinching first flowers is controversial-- some do and some don't. I don't. If the plant really can't support the fruit, it will drop the flowers or fruit. I figure if it keeps it, it's ok. But I know some people will tell you it is better to pinch them and let it develop more first.
Pinching first flowers is controversial-- some do and some don't. I don't. If the plant really can't support the fruit, it will drop the flowers or fruit. I figure if it keeps it, it's ok. But I know some people will tell you it is better to pinch them and let it develop more first.
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PunkRotten
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To be honest it's been warm enough for almost two months. It is probably a good thing they are put out sooner. I just wasn't expecting them to be ready right now. My whole seed starting operation was done a lot better this year and that is probably why they got big and healthy so soon. I started some ginger and turmeric under a heat pad and they are all up now as well. Really happy things are starting out so well.