What to do when tomatoes grow poorly
Did you know that for a long time people considered the tomato an aphrodisiac? Although science has not confirmed this fact, tomatoes are undoubtedly beneficial for human health. They support immunity, improve mood, and help reduce the risk of cancer.
Many gardeners grow tomatoes on their site. However, it happens that the miracle vegetable freezes in development and does not grow further. This happens both in immature tomatoes and in adult plants. The leaves curl up, the top of the head turns yellow and the stems wither. Why don't tomatoes grow? Let's figure it out.
The content of the article
Why tomatoes grow poorly
The most common reason the fact that tomatoes do not grow - errors in their cultivation.
What amateur gardeners most often admit:
| Mistake | A comment |
| Failure to comply with the terms of sowing seeds | If the tomatoes are planted late, the bushes will not have time to give a full harvest before the onset of cold weather. If it is too early, the roots of overgrown plants in cramped conditions will not be able to provide adequate nutrition. The tomato will be stunted. Seedlings will take root worse after picking. |
| Violation of light and temperature conditions of growing | The optimum temperature for growing seedlings with good lighting during the day is 25-27 degrees, at night - 12-14 degrees. |
| Improper plant nutrition | The biggest reason tomato leaves start to turn yellow or curl. If micro- and macroelements are not enough for the plants, the roots occupy the entire space of the seedling peat pot and poorly absorb the incoming food. Both excess nutrition and lack of it are equally bad for tomatoes.
Pay special attention to the soil. Its acidity should be close to neutral. The increased acidity of the earth is bad for the plant. |
| Wrong watering | Water the seedlings only with settled water at room temperature as the earthen coma dries. Watering every day is unnecessary. The quality of seedlings is negatively affected by both drying out of the soil and its waterlogging. |
| Random seeds | It is better to buy seeds from trusted sellers. Otherwise, the planting material may be out of date or not corresponding to the variety declared on the package. It is important to monitor the expiration date of the seeds. |
| Incorrect dive and pinching | Plants are often injured when diving. Recovery takes time and slows down the growth of tomatoes.
Often the plant is buried above the growing point. When picking, in order to avoid diseases, it is worth disinfecting the seedlings. Potassium permanganate will help (one gram per liter of water). The main reason for incorrect pinching is untimely. Stepchildren should be removed at a shoot height of three to four centimeters, no more. |
| Invasion of pests or plant diseases | Do not wait for tomatoes to become ill or to be attacked by pests (such as aphids or caterpillars). Better to carry out timely prevention - water or spray with special means. |
How to feed tomatoes
For good growth, tomato seedlings need to be fed... Than? Fertilizer "Azofoska" and trace elements are suitable. The dosage is one tablespoon per 10 liters of water. Growth stimulants will also help, for example, "Epin", "Effekton" or "Ecosil". After applying them, the seedlings will become stronger.
Mature plants that have survived the transplant also need feeding.... Both ground and those that grow in the greenhouse. What to do if tomatoes do not grow well outdoors? Any nitrogen fertilizers will come to the rescue: saltpeter, urea, mullein, bird droppings, horse manure. You can use store-bought dressings, for example, "Gumat-80" or "Gumat Universal".
Important! When applying fertilizers, follow the dosage recommended by the manufacturer. Otherwise, the tomatoes may burn.
Folk remedies
Also use folk remedies:
- Yeast feeding. For 100 g of yeast, take three liters of water and 50 g of sugar. They set to wander. When fermentation is over, add one glass of wood ash or ash.
- Ash feeding. For 10 liters of water add one liter of ash and half a teaspoon of boric acid.
- Iodine-milk solution. To prepare it, 10 drops of iodine and one liter of milk are added to nine liters of water (fat content does not matter).
If a poor growth of tomatoes is due to the fact that the plant was attacked by pests, such means as Fitoverm or Iskra will help to get rid of them.
Interesting on the topic:
How often to water tomatoes in the heat to get a good harvest
Conclusion
To avoid a situation where the tomatoes have sprung up but not growing, follow our simple recommendations. Use only proven seeds. Do not violate the technology of growing tomatoes. Do not forget to prevent diseases and pests. And if you see a delay in growth and development, feed the plants.
By adhering to these tips, even without a lot of "garden" experience, you can get a good harvest of tomatoes. Good luck!
Regarding the temperature regime - during the pollination period, a night temperature of at least 15 degrees is recommended. Because at 12-13 degrees, pollination stops.