Miserable tomatoes

What am I doing wrong? Every time I try and grow tomatoes from seed, it's the same thing. Leggy seedlings, which then try and sprout a couple of leaves, then kaput. My current batch looks like this:



Half are "Red Alert", half "Maskotka". The one by the label was a late sprouter so it's about a week behind the others.

I grow them indoors to start with, and this year I have been very cautious about putting them outside - they're out now but the temperature is about the same as indoors, and they're in a very sheltered spot. I thought perhaps a bit more sunlight might help - my windows are SE or NW facing, and they are at the NW end, but last year I tried them in the SE and same result. I'm using multipurpose peat free compost, and they sprouted no problem at all - the trouble starts when I get to the true leaf stage.

Help!

 

Cant say I like the look of the compost,, that said, I usually sow in a pot of around 4ins or so, then transplant into separate pots once they are starting to form true leaves.

At that point you can plant lower, burying the stem almost up to the seed leaves, so you lose any leggy-ness that might have occurred.

I think yours might be "damping off", a fungal disease.
Possibly you are keeping them too wet without enough fresh air.

 

My compost last year was ordinary multipurpose and I got the same result, although they got a bit bigger before they died. I think you're onto something with the fresh air thing - windows are rarely open in this house because I have a noise phobic dog!

They have been under cover outside, and only out for a few hours for the past couple of days. They've only not had cover today as the temperature's been the same as where they sprouted. The damage started before I started putting them out.

I need to get some more compost anyhoo so I'll have another go, and put them at the front. And now I'm thinking about it, I could put them in my spare room - SE facing, the door is shut and the window is always locked open at a tiny crack because I have other animals in there. Enough for ventilation but not to make the windowsill cold.

Thanks

 

as others have said that compost looks naff! what is it? can't go wrong with some sieved B&Q Multipurpose for seedlings.

 

Peat free = duff plants. Always has always will.........

 

I see moss there, not soil...

 

If you're not having much luck with your tomatoes from seed, maybe buy in some seedlings or cadge some off a friend. There are usually plenty going to good homes at this time of year.

I don't think putting them out at such a small size is a good idea. Mine are outdoors now but they are 1ft tall and I've been hardening them off for weeks...and most people will say it's still too early. Your seedlings aren't strong enough to withstand cold winds.

I agree with the comments about your compost looking dodgy. Give them as much light as possible and perhaps try dusting the surface of the compost with cinnamon powder. The RHS are recommending it as a deterrent for damping off.

 

It isn't dry, I guess that's poor lighting! I water from the bottom too.

IceColdRum - it's the B&Q Verve peat free stuff.

Cinnamon - I'll keep them indoors then. I've not been putting them out if there's any wind, I know they are only titchy things! But they can stay in, no problem.

 

I agree with above stay away from that muck tried it once never again. I use Canna professional from the hydroponic shops, may be too expensive for some at £12 for 50 litres but I use it for everything seed sowing, potting up and final pots. I have never looked back since using this.
Pic of my toms ready to go in greenhouse this weekend. Not suggesting you can replicate this on a windowsill as I have a heated conservatory. However I used a windowsill for years.
Regards Alex