[momtothree]

I have a question for my gardening Freepers... I started tomato seeds in a device that looks like a small, rectangular green house of sorts. The sprouts are probably about an inch and pushing against the top, clear lid. Do I now transplant the seedlings to smaller containers or do I simply remove the lid and allow them to get bigger? Any help is greatly appreciated!

[Daisyjane69]

No...

You transplant them to the next logical larger container, and when you do, plant them DEEP. Right up to the first leaves. If you’re using a garden light, drop it down so it is nearly touching the leaves of your transplants; to prevent leggy plants.

Tomatoes will form roots where their stem meets soil. You cannot do this with most plants, but you do it with tomatoes. This builds up your root system, allowing your plant to deal with weather, watering issues, etc much better. You’ll be making a stronger plant.

[Red_Devil 232]

Do not keep the lid on. Do you have a grow or fluorescent lamp/light that you can put about two inches above the leaves? I would let them get bigger.

[iontheball]

Remove the lid. Fungus will beset your plants if do not lower the humidity by removing the lid. You can leave the plants in their starter tray only for a short while or else they will get leggy. If it is still too cold to put them in the garden, transplant to larger pots and give them as much sun as you can in doors in in a hothouse until you can put them in the garden.

[TASMANIANRED]

Take the lid off and get them in some sunlight.

They are straining to reach light.

Don’t transplant until you have at least 2 true leaves.