Hey everyone! I planted my peppers, cherry tomatoes, and beefsteak tomatoes around 6-7 weeks ago. The cherry tomatoes and peppers are thriving, but my beefsteaks are lagging behind – they only have their first set of leaves and those tips are looking pretty dry. I'm wondering if I'm doing something wrong. I don't think my grow lights are too strong since they're actually underpowered, and I'm keeping the plants watered. Could the beefsteaks just be picky because of my setup? I was planning to start hardening off my plants this week, but with the beefsteaks struggling, I'm unsure if I should just give up and start over or if they might eventually catch up. I'm fairly new to this, so I appreciate any advice you can share!
3 Answers
You didn't mention what type of growing medium you're using or if you're fertilizing. Some seed-starting mixes are nutrient-poor, so if that's the case, your beefsteaks might just be hungry! They could also need different care than your other seedlings. Sharing some pics of your setup could help us help you better!
Firstly, have you been consistent with how often you water? Sometimes that can really affect growth. Also, if the beefsteaks are getting the exact same treatment as the others, it’s possible you just got weaker seeds. It happens!
It’s crucial to fertilize seedlings, especially if your medium lacks nutrients. Just make sure the concentration isn't too high; fertilizer can burn the roots if it's too strong. From what you've described, your plants probably need some food to perk up!
Thanks for the advice! I didn't realize they might need more nutrients. I'll definitely look into fertilizing them properly.