When you take seedlings out the propagator...

Hi all

I know that I'm supposed to prick my tomato seedlings out of the propagator once they have their 1st set of true leaves.

My question is whether they need to stay in heat, or if they'll manage just covered by an unheated propagator in an unheated greenhouse?

The greenhouse is in the garden in London, so is relatively sheltered.

Cheers,
Alexei

 

Hi Alexei. They certainly still need some heat once propagated. Usual propagation temperature is just over 20C and you can then drop to about 15C. I wouldn't like to risk them at night in an unheated greenhouse in March. In sunny Scarborough whilst we are cooler than you, my min-max thermometer was still showing night time low of about 3C last week (after the real cold snap) and it can easily fall back again. I reckon that on a cold night in sheltered London you will get about 7C, not 15.

 

Agree John, toms need at least 13 at night and probably 18 by day, minimum.
So unheated is not good Alexei this early.

One good reason why its best not to sow as early as most books state.

 

Thanks very much to you both. I'll keep them in the heat then....We've got 4 propped over the radiator in our front room. I don't know if it'll work but we'll soon find out

 

That is what we are doing timecharger. We are keeping them in the house until late April. Bit of a nuisance but when you eat your own tomato as against that supermarket pap it's worth it.

When I was younger you could buy proper tomatoes at your local corner green-grocer's but even they nowadays buy the cheap stuff which most people want. Last summer the only organic green-grocer in Scarborough was selling toms at �£2+ a pound. So this is why, after a break of some years I am growing toms again.

 

�£2 a pound's a bit steep John.
I'd want them gold plated for that. :eek:

 

Oh. I think they were Pete. Mine will be �£3 a pound (solid gold). :D