How to stop the growth of tomato seedlings - temporarily, with the help of picking, temperature changes, drugs

Successful cultivation of tomatoes is associated with properly prepared planting material. Before planting in the ground, tomato seedlings must gain strength and fully form the root system. It is quite difficult to predict weather conditions in advance, and the bushes may overgrow and take root poorly in a new location. In this case, it is worth knowing how to stop the growth of tomato seedlings. This should be done carefully to prevent damage or death of the bushes.

In what cases should growth be slowed down?

The rapid development of plants can be caused by various factors that influence the choice of method for slowing the growth of tomato seedlings. The reasons can be called:

Excess nitrogen fertilizers. These compounds lead to intensive growth of green mass at an accelerated pace.
Incorrect sowing time. When choosing the time for planting seeds, you should focus on the age of seedlings recommended by the manufacturer for placement in the ground, as well as the climate of the area. The length of stay indoors has a negative impact on the condition of the plants, so early sowing will not benefit the crop.
Overwatering. Excessive watering often leads to stretching of the stems.
Temperature violation. Proximity of heat sources causes wilting or excessive elevation gain.
Poor lighting. Short day lengths during the spring months mean that the stems of tomato seedlings may stretch out in search of additional light. At the same time, daylight hours longer than 14 hours accelerate the development of plants more than usual.

Options for solving the problem

If it is too late to stop the growth of young seedlings, there is no need to throw away the seedlings. Even overgrown plants can be worked on so as not to lose the harvest. Several methods for restoring such plants have been developed.

Transplanting into a larger container

The easiest way to revive an overgrown plant is to transplant it into a container that is larger in height. Otherwise, the root system of the plant will begin to dry out and it will die. This option is recommended if the number of overgrown specimens is small. The advantage of this method is that it allows you to get an early harvest.

Plant division

Another good method to restore the viability of overgrown seedlings is to divide the seedling into two parts. Place each part in a jar of water and wait for the roots to grow. In this way, instead of one weak plant, 2-3 quite strong specimens are obtained. When the roots have grown sufficiently, the seedlings are placed in the ground. With this method, the harvest will appear a week later.

Ways to slow down the growth of tomato seedlings

Taking into account the reasons for the overgrowth of seedlings, there are several options for how to slow down the growth of plants upward. Among the methods:

dive;
transshipment;
temperature change;
revision of irrigation standards;
pruning;
use of growth inhibitory drugs.

Each option has its own characteristics and subtleties of application. These methods will help correct care mistakes in order to prepare the tomatoes for replanting in a permanent place.

Reasons for pulling tomatoes

For additional lighting, special lamps are used, because incandescent lamps are not suitable for plants. Their radiation is not suitable for seedlings and leaves burns on them due to the high heat generation.

Tomatoes are illuminated with LED, fluorescent or phytolamps. This lighting is turned on in the morning and evening, depending on how long the sun illuminates the seedlings.

Lack of space. Seedlings that are sown thickly also outgrow. This occurs due to the fact that one seedling covers another with leaves and competition begins between them for space and light. They reach up to get their quota of light, but grow weak and frail. Even additional lighting does not save plants from overgrowing. The seedlings grow, become larger, and the distance between them increases. Stretching does not depend on the size of the pot; plants are planted in a small container. The main thing is to place them at a sufficient distance. Temperature. The rule for indoor seedlings is that the less light the tomatoes receive, the colder the room. In low temperatures, tomato roots germinate, and in warm temperatures, the stem of the seedling germinates. Therefore, the plants overgrow due to excessive heat. For tomatoes, the daily norm is 20-23 °C, and the night norm is 9-10 °C. Watering and fertilizing. Careful care and feeding stimulate the elongation of seedlings. Water tomatoes only when the soil dries out

Plants are also fed with caution. Nitrogen fertilizers stimulate rapid growth

The seedling acquires a bright green tint, stretches out, but its leaves curl inward. Incorrect sowing time. The seeds are sown at the optimal time. There is no need to worry or rush with this, because tomatoes can ripen in the cold months, and it will not be possible to plant them in open ground. If there are no lamps for additional lighting, then first purchase them, and then sow the seeds.

Dive and transfer

Densely sown seeds sprout abundantly, which leads to plants fighting for sunlight. Proven methods that can slow down the growth of seedlings include picking. Transplanting the bushes into separate containers will make the growing season easier, which will allow the tomatoes to grow foliage and strengthen the stem without increasing height.

The right time for the procedure is when the first pair of true leaves appear. Bushes with too thin long shoots should be buried down to the cotyledons.

The second way to slow down the growth of a tomato is to transfer the seedlings from a small container to a larger one. The soil ball should be preserved as much as possible to prevent damage to the roots. 2 days before transshipment, you need to stop watering so that the soil can easily come out of the pot.

After the procedure, the plant will need at least 10 days to get used to the new conditions, so the tomato stops growth for this period.

Precautionary measures

Athlete is classified as a low-risk product. But when working with it, you should also follow general safety rules:

dilute the product in a separate container, specially prepared for this purpose; after preparing and using the solution, it is better to dispose of it;
avoid the presence of children and pets in the treated area (or in the room where spraying is carried out);
work with the substance in protective clothing, a respirator, and goggles;
Do not consume food or drinks during the procedure.

Changes in temperature and watering

In addition to physical effects, the height of seedlings can be influenced by changing growing conditions. Usually, for a normal growth rate, an air temperature of at least 16°C is required. To slow down growth, it is worth moving the tomatoes to a cooler place for 10-14 days.

The optimal temperature is +12°C. The procedure makes the plant stem thicker and stronger, and the foliage acquires richer color.

You can also delay the growth of tomatoes by changing the watering rate. When lengthening the stems due to the distance in the internodes, soil moisture must be reduced. Seedlings are sensitive to the amount of moisture and drainage qualities of the soil.

Replacing root watering with spraying restrains the increase in the height of tomatoes in the best possible way. However, you should not reduce the humidity too much, because drying out the soil can destroy the plant.

Prevention of overgrowth

To avoid the problem of tomato seedlings overgrowing, it is important to correctly calculate the timing of sowing seeds. In this case, you need to pay attention to where exactly the plant will be planted in a greenhouse or in open ground. Also, you should not sow seeds too thickly and remove excess specimens in time. Timely picking of seedlings helps to strengthen plants.

It is important to observe the growing conditions: do not flood the seedlings and create a suitable temperature regime for them. Long daylight hours will prevent the seedlings from stretching and weakening. Do not overuse fertilizers. Too much fertilizer only harms the plants.

Trimming the crown

Changing the growth of tomato seedlings by pinching the stem is possible only for varieties belonging to the indeterminate type. These tomatoes do not stop growing upward and gain height quite quickly, which can be easily stopped by pruning. After the procedure, a second stem will begin to form from the developed stepson.

For determinate low-growing tomato varieties, a different method is used. To curb growth, the stem is cut 60% from the top. The cut part is placed in water, and after the roots appear, it is planted in a new container with soil. Part of the seedlings with the primary root is not needed; it can be thrown away.

This method, which inhibits the development of tomato, allows you to postpone planting the bushes for 2 weeks, which also shifts the start of fruiting.

How to trim and root overgrown tomato seedlings: instructions with video

There is still a month before planting tomato seedlings, but they have outgrown them and you don’t know what to do? There is one radical way - cutting and rooting the top part of tomato seedlings.

After the top of the stem is cut, it will need to be rooted. As a result, by the time of planting in the beds, one plant will already produce two full-fledged tomato seedlings. The rooted top will begin to grow, and on the remaining lower part, side shoots (stepchildren) will form and begin to develop. It is on them that there will be a harvest in the future.

So, how to properly prune and root:

Use pruning shears to cut off the top of the stem above the second true leaf. Please note that it is necessary to prune tomato seedlings just above the second true leaf, and not the cotyledon. Otherwise, you won’t get stepchildren.
The pot can be set aside. Care for the lower part of the plant is the same as before.
The cut top part of the tomato seedling should not be rooted all, but only its top. To do this, count 6 leaves from the topmost leaf and cut above it. As a result, the top should have 5 true leaves.
Cut off the two lower leaves completely, and shorten the third by half. That is, there should be three sheets left, of which the bottom one is shortened.
Place the top of the seedling in a container of water. Make sure that the water does not reach the leaves.

When full roots appear on the cuttings, they can be planted in pots. And if by this time the time comes for planting seedlings in a greenhouse or open ground, you can immediately plant them in the garden bed.

Attention! This procedure is carried out no later than a month before planting tomatoes in the ground in the garden.

You will be interested to know: Planting tomatoes: what to put in the hole so that tomatoes grow well

Watch the video from the YouTube channel, which tells and shows how to properly trim overgrown tomato seedlings and root the cut tops. An experienced gardener also shows how the rooted stems look after 12 days, and the part of the seedling remaining in the pot that has begun to grow.

Drugs to slow growth

The most reliable way to stop the increase in seedling height is to use modern retardant products. Containment is carried out due to chemical compounds that prevent the bushes from developing quickly.

When using a drug to reduce height, it is important to follow the instructions. Changing the dosage leads to a complete stop in development and destroys the plants.

Among the retardants it is worth highlighting:

"Athlete". The drug is used when there is a lack of light, thickening of seedlings or elevated ambient temperatures.
"Fortification." The mixture is suitable for all types of vegetable crops, improving the appearance of plants. The development of bushes is intensifying, without gaining height.
"Stocky". The product allows you to reduce the growth of tomatoes by increasing the width and thickness of the leaves, and also stimulates the strengthening of the stem and roots.
"Reggae" The inhibitor prevents tomatoes from stretching, allowing the development of internal plant tissues.

In the absence of these drugs, any regulators used in vegetable growing based on chlorocholine chloride should be chosen. Tomatoes are sprayed with the product after the formation of 2-3 true leaves, which allows the height of the seedlings to be reduced by 1.5-2 times, and also helps to form more buds and ovaries.

Methods for planting elongated tomatoes in open ground

Even following the rules for sowing seedlings does not always help against overgrowth. Therefore, whenever possible, tomatoes are planted in open ground in such optimal ways.

Kazarin's dry method

The essence of this method is to create extreme conditions for tomatoes by limiting their watering. The tomato is planted in the ground, but no water is given. The roots begin to grow in search of moisture. By the time the fruits are ripe, tomatoes have formed an extensive root system.

dig holes up to 10 cm deep;
pour half a bucket of compost into the hole and mix with a glass of ash and 1 gram. potassium permanganate;
pour half a bucket of water;
tomato seedlings are divided and leaves are removed from the bottom;
the stem is placed in the hole and covered with soil;
pour another half bucket of water on top;
if the top lies on the ground, it is left there, then it strengthens and rises on its own;
The tomatoes are not watered all summer.

After the fruits appear, you can water them, but the taste will suffer. It is difficult to resist watering the bush when it begins to fade. But after the roots strengthen, the tomato straightens out on its own.

Planting slightly elongated seedlings

Seedlings that are half a meter or a little more long are not planted deeply. Otherwise, energy is spent on root growth, and the ovaries and flowers die.

make a hole with an additional recess the size of the glass;
water and plant long stems without covering them, leave in this position for a couple of weeks;
the tomato takes root, the hole is filled in;
After planting, they drive a stick into the ground and tie a stem to it.

Planting heavily overgrown tomatoes

Stems that have grown a meter are not planted vertically in the ground.

make a long furrow and water generously;
Leaves are removed from the lower half of the stem;
plant the plant in a lying position, deepening the stem so that the top remains 20-30 cm;
the stems are secured with staples;
cover with earth, leave a hole, water again;
The top of the seedling is secured vertically with a peg.

Attention!

After watering, the plant is mulched to retain moisture and provide oxygen to the soil.

Overgrown seedlings are not yet a reason to quit and throw away the stems. First, they understand the reasons and eliminate the problems. After this, they try to slow down the overgrowth. If it is not possible to slow down, methods of planting these plants are used. The main thing is not to panic, but to use consistent instructions to get tasty and healthy tomatoes.

Frail seedlings

1. We often sow tomato seeds thickly without thinking about the consequences. As a result, a “lawn” grows in the planting container. If you don’t pick early, the seedlings will grow sandwiched between their neighbors. They will not have enough space, food, or light. The weakest ones have to be dived deeper than usual.

2. Stretched seedlings are often due to lack of lighting . This problem is solved in different ways. For example, shelves are attached to the window, allowing you to use not only the window sill area. It is better to make them from transparent material (carbonate, cellular polycarbonate, etc.).

I did not immediately notice the appearance of loops and did not move the container with the sown seeds to a bright place. From such seedlings you can also grow good seedlings

Lamps designed for growing plants are also suitable.

A simple solution is reflective screens. For example, from foil or white glossy surfaces.

Seedlings on a glass loggia can be placed on a special plant rack or on the floor closer to the glass

3. My seedlings grow best on a fully glazed loggia facing southwest. I place the boxes with pots in which the seedlings grow in the most illuminated place. If there is not enough space, use foam blocks (or packaging from equipment) on the floor of the loggia closer to the double-glazed window. Freshly picked tomato seedlings must be shaded. At least in the first days.

4. A warm habitat is necessary for seedlings only at the very first time. After picking, heat prevents the growth of strong seedlings . She feels better at 20 - 21°C during the day and 17 - 18°C at night. Then it is advisable to reduce the daytime temperature a little more.

5. A lot depends on watering . They shouldn't get carried away. Seedlings cannot grow in a “swamp”. It’s bad when periods of drought and waterlogging alternate. And they happen if you water rarely and abundantly. For the first three weeks I water the seedlings with a spoon.

We regulate the growth of tomatoes using air temperature

If the room is too warm, then this is one of the factors for stretching the seedlings.
This usually happens if the plants are on the kitchen windowsill. Place the bowls with young bushes in a cool room, where the temperature during the day is +20+22°C, and at night – approximately +15+17°C. Ventilate. Growing seedlings at low temperatures is especially important if the seeds were sown early - in late January-early February. This technique will allow you to get strong seedlings and an early harvest.

When growing tomatoes in a greenhouse, you need to lower the temperature there too. Daytime ventilation helps with this.

Nitrogen fertilizers promote the growth of tomatoes. If the plants have deep green leaves and the bushes are elongated, then reduce nitrogen-containing fertilizing.

What if the seedlings stretch out after picking?

After picking, it is recommended to spray the seedlings weekly with a nutrient solution. This event is called foliar feeding.

Prepare a mixture of:

whey - 250 ml;
warm water - 250 ml;
iodine - 6 drops.

This solution makes the seedlings strong and resistant to late blight, and most importantly, they stop stretching.

If there is still a long way to go before planting in the ground, and the seedlings begin to outgrow, urgently slow down their growth. To do this, overgrown seedlings can be transplanted into larger pots. While the plants inhabit a large space, filling the pot with roots, the stem stops growing.