Hey everyone! I'm really new to gardening and decided to try growing tomatoes and potatoes indoors with grow lights since I live in a small apartment and can't have an outdoor garden. My potatoes are thriving, but my tomatoes keep hitting a wall. I've tried starting them three times now, and they always grow to around 2 inches and then just stop.
The first time, I planted a whole bunch of seeds in a small indoor planter, and while they all sprouted, they never grew taller. I replanted them with more space and deeper, but they still stalled. This last time, I was careful and only planted 9 seeds; a few sprouted but now they're stunted again. I have grow lights on from 4 AM to 8 PM, and I also used some liquid fertilizer, but it hasn't helped at all. The tomatoes are in a self-watering planter with soil that's about 5-6 inches deep. I'm really not sure what's going wrong, any tips would be great!
3 Answers
Could also be worth checking the depth of your seed trays and the overall environment. Sometimes, if the soil is too compact or the trays aren’t deep enough, it restricts growth more than you might think. How deep are they, by the way?
Sounds like you might be rushing things a bit! Remember, patience is key in gardening. Your seedlings could be fine if they’re taking their time to grow. If they look leggy, try moving the lights closer, and don’t overdo the fertilizer; it might burn the tiny roots.
It sounds like you might need to give them a bit more light and some time! They can sprout quickly but take a few days to really grow strong. Try to ensure the grow lights are close enough without overheating them. Also, make sure you’re not over-fertilizing, as that can sometimes hurt young plants instead of helping them.