I'm running short on space and I have a lot of tomato seeds. I know people usually recommend 72 cell trays for brassicas, but I'm curious if anyone here has successfully used them for tomatoes. I'm wondering if I can plant in 72 cells instead of the traditional 6 or 32 cells, even though I understand I'll need to pot them up sooner. Any personal experiences or tips would be greatly appreciated!
4 Answers
Using 72 cell trays worked out well for me this year! I used a teaspoon to help lift them out when potting up. I found the transition to larger pots was smooth and didn’t cause much stress to the plants. If 72 cell trays are what you have, just go for it. They’ll thrive if you give them some care in their early growth stages!
Yes, you can definitely use 72 cell trays for tomatoes! I've done it before. Just keep in mind that you'll need to pot them up fairly quickly once they start to grow. These little plants can get cramped in there fast, especially after they develop their first true leaves. One thing to remember is that tomatoes generally have a near 100% germination rate, so you don’t need to over-sow.
I’ve planted tomatoes in 72 cell trays, and honestly, it worked fine for me! Just make sure to pot them up into larger containers once they start growing. I try to pot them into something bigger when they hit about 6-8 inches tall. It's a bit of extra work, but using what you have is smart for now.
Good to know! I wasn't sure if my spacing was enough, but it sounds manageable.
I've used 72 cell trays for tomatoes, and while they do grow fine, it can get tricky when it's time to pot them up. If you wait too long, they might get rootbound, but honestly, tomatoes are pretty forgiving. Just make sure you keep an eye on them and try to repot them before they get too tall. If you can, consider using staggered planting to avoid them shading each other too much.
That's a smart idea! I'll definitely stagger my planting next time.
Thanks for the insight! I was worried I'd be overcrowding them.