About 5 weeks ago, I planted some tomatoes and peppers in potting soil from Home Depot, but I didn't realize the quality of the soil was lacking. Now, my seedlings are only about 2 inches tall and starting to yellow, with barely any mature leaves. I'm wondering if I should give up on them and buy new plants, or if there's a chance I can revive them by repotting into better soil. Would their stunted growth mean they'll produce small yields even if I manage to transplant them outside soon?
5 Answers
I faced a similar issue when I used a poor soil mix. My seedlings barely grew and I was about to give up. After I repotted them in an organic mix with some earthworm castings, they bounced back pretty well! I'm now getting ready to harden them off before planting outside. Definitely worth a try before giving up completely!
It might be a nutrient issue. If you haven't fertilized them yet, try giving them some liquid feed—something like a 15-30-15 mix would be ideal. They often start off with no nutrients in the soil, so a bit of fertilizer could really help them recover.
I was in a similar situation where my seedlings just sat there for weeks, but a repot into better soil with some nutrients helped a lot. Now they're thriving!
I think it might be worth it to just buy new plants this time around. It could save you the hassle! For next year, try using a quality seed starting mix like ProMix; I've had a noticeable improvement using it compared to the Jiffy mix I used before. You usually find better seedlings at local nurseries than at Home Depot too.
I haven't had problems with potting soil as long as I sift out any big chunks. Have you considered the light and watering conditions? Those can really affect growth, and you didn't mention them.
I'm right there with you! I planted in March in a zone 7b, and my cucumbers and tomatoes are also tiny with yellowing leaves. I've repotted once, but maybe roots got shocked. Hang in there; you’re not alone in this! Just be patient and keep an eye on them.