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  • From: "Paul" <biz AT soon.com>
  • To: <market-farming AT franklin.oit.unc.edu>
  • Subject: Tomato problems
  • Date: Fri, 16 Mar 2001 07:23:19 -0700


I guess I've lurked long enough, and it's time to join in the discussion. A
short introduction. I own and operate a certified organic greenhouse in New
Mexico that produces starts for the wholesale market and home gardeners.

Much of the issues regarding the tomatoes have been addressed, but I would
urge you to try to keep the temperature swing around 25 degrees instead of
the 50-degree swings you mentioned. Try running the house at a low of 50 and
a high of 75. You might find that helps.

You'll get better germination using a germination mix rather than a potting
mix. From my perspective the issue is not the density, but rather the
particle size. A fine mix comes in better contact with the seed and hence
transfers more moisture to it while it's germinating. Similarly, once the
plant has young roots, they are very fine, so the smaller particle size
again helps to transfer water and nutrients in the early stages.

I would be surprised if Pro Mix was organic approved, but I am not familiar
with the product. My assumption is that commercial mixes have a wetting
agent in them which makes the product prohibited for organic production. We
mix our own by hand, which is not onerous even when producing a mix for
germinating 40,000 seedlings. We use extra fine grade vermiculite and peat
in a 1:1 ratio. That grade of vermiculite is almost impossible to find, so
if you have a coarser grade, you have to grind it down to a dusty, sand-like
texture.

Germinate tomato and pepper seeds at a soil temperature of 85 degrees. This
is hot, so you really have to keep on top of the watering so that the mix
doesn't dry out. It's worth measuring the soil temperature even if you're
using thermostatically controlled heat mats.

Once the plants have their first true leaves you can transplant them into a
coarser potting mix.

Good luck with your starts!

-Paul





  • Tomato problems, Paul, 03/16/2001

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