Why are my tomato plants NOT growing

[Ali]

They came up well, they're in the greenhouse (doesnt go below 5 deg C) but they've never really got beyond the 2nd leaf stage.

So, yesterday I re-potted them to find that their root system was very weak

I had bought some very cheap compost and had possibly used that for the toms, could this be the reason?

[sooty]

I would say that you have answered your own question Ali, but the light has been poor which has not helped.

I must admit I have a job finding seedling compost, which is finer and has different fertilisers in it.

But it is still amazing how they pop up and grow in the poly-tunnel soil.

[Bunty]

They've stuck there heads over the parapet seen the weather and thought Berger that for a game of soldiers and are waiting for better weather

[Ali]

Might well be the compost Will report in after a few days if there is any improvement

You may well be right too Bunty, if I was them I'd stay put as well.

The 'new' compost that I've used has oss merk in it, it was expensive but 'felt' nice.

Seed compost does seem to be getting more common here tho Sooty, my local PointV sells it in smaller bags admitedly but it is quite fine, can't beat a bit of good ole John Innes in my view....

I did try mixing compost with sand last year but that made things worse and I put that down to maybe the salt content in the unwashed sand.

[Madame Moorhen]

I only use one kind of potting compost for seedlings or potting on and that's the Magasin/Point Vert 'terreau horticole'. Now that I've discovered vermiculite and perlite being sold in Jardiland I mix the perlite in with it and it's ace as it's far more aerated and doesn't get so stale and claggy or green.

Not having any problems with things growing indoors yet (nice and warm) but I'm not putting them out in the cold frames during daytime yet either so of course my toms just get leggy!

Basil is growing really well though and I'm already pinching it out so that it bushes out. You'll see that tomorrow.

I expect it is not so much the light as it has been so sunny in between the showers but that it has been too cold - but then if they are in a greenhouse and the sun has been shining it would have been warm during the day... so ? Maybe you could rig up some fleece over them at night time?

[sooty]

Thanks for the tip about the compost MM.

Mr TK's tip of the week.

If seedlings are in a poly-tunnel always keep a full can of water in there so it heats up in the day. Cold water from a water butt is a little chilly for delicate seedlings, it's like putting cold wet socks on your feet.

[Elkay]

It's not tomato plants I have a problem with - it's peas. I make a long small trough and filled it with mange tout to half way then peas the rest of the way. I went to have a look this morning to see if anything has germinated, and was faced with the strangest sight I've seen. The whole of the line is dotted with holes, as though someone had prodded it with a walking stick every couple of inches or so - it was a real WTF moment! I daresay each hole is where one of the mulots popped it's head up after munching the seed it looks funny but is v v annoying!!

[troll]

Tons of sympathy. I think I probably sow as many peas as I harvest!
Having some sucess with them under the "bottle prison" but I'm now scared to take the bottles off.

[Madame Moorhen]

I must have a different breed of mulots and campagnols! They don't eat my seed but just do their trails of destruction through all my young seedlings so I lose a lot of things like lettuce like that - but then too many always germinate.

Apart from this year - barely anything lettuce like has dared to germinate in this cold weather!

[Ali]

Result changed the compost and now the toms are looking stronger, sprouting new leaves - all is well.

Thanks for the tip about where to find Perlite MM, have always looked out for it but never found it. Must visit a Jardiland - which town would you suggest is the closest one??

Got the mouse too btw MM and Term