Week Two

It's only been 2 weeks, but everything has germinated and well on its way to growing its first set of real leaves. I transplanted the Roma tomatoes because they were growing very fast, but more so because I planted 2 seeds per block and every seed came up. I wanted to separate them before they grew together too much. I managed to save almost all of them, except 2 because I didn't have enough transplant pots. The other seeds I'll separate soon, but they're not as far along so I don't want to disturb them.

Someone recently asked me why I use a grow light. This question took me off guard because wasn't it obvious? I guess not. For starters, seedlings need a lot of light. Day lengths are longer in June and July than our days are now. Plus, some days it's overcast, which for a grown plant is fine, but for a seedling it could make it grow stringy and reach for any little light it finds. And here it tends to be overcast a lot. Finally, it's because they're indoors. They can't get the same amount of sun they'd get if they were outside. Combined with the shorter days it leaves too much opportunity for week seedlings.

Here are the seedlings today and the Romas which now have to deal with natural light. Because they're more mature plants, I'm hoping it's ok.