My tomato seeds still haven't sprouted.

[Wishin']

It has been three weeks, the seeds are no older than two years. I planted 4 Campbell 1327, 4 campbell pear 19 ( these varieties are 2 years old) 4 sweet 100hybrid, and 4 roma(these varieties were bought this year). It has been three weeks and everything else I have planted ( onions, peas, lettuces, broccoli, flowers) are in the same place/soil /conditions, were planted at the same time and have all sprouted. What is going on?

 

[thistlebloom]

How warm is the soil? Tomatoes really appreciate warmth, like 80 -85 degree soil.
I put my seeded boxes on an underbed box that I have put Christmas lights in. It keeps the soil around 85 in a cool room.

Hope they pop up soon for you!

 

[digitS']

All the vegetables that you have named should be quicker than your tomatoes, Wishin'.

My old seed keeps showing up which is a little frustrating since those plants are so seriously out of sync with the other varieties in their community boxes. It wasn't true with the peppers, however, and I just tossed some. The soil really needs some growth after awhile or plant growth is replaced by fungal growth. So glad that I jumped to get new pepper seed.

I try to even back up the back ups - risk-averse to an extreme.

Steve

 

[Wishin']

@thistlebloom I don't know how warm it is, but it is in the neighbor's greenhouse. I would think it would be warm enough? It has been over 60 outside the last couple weeks, this week it has been 76-81 during the day, and it has been at the least the mid to upper 30s, this week being 40s at night. It is much, MUCH warmer in the greenhouse, than outside.

 

[catjac1975]

@thistlebloom I don't know how warm it is, but it is in the neighbor's greenhouse. I would think it would be warm enough? It has been over 60 outside the last couple weeks, this week it has been 76-81 during the day, and it has been at the least the mid to upper 30s, this week being 40s at night. It is much, MUCH warmer in the greenhouse, than outside.

What about at night?

 

[Wishin']

If it is warm and moist your seeds will not sprout.

Warm and moist won't sprout? I thought that was pretty much the basis for germination? What should I be doing?

The night temps haven't gotten below the mid 30s, and generally have been in the 40s.

 

[catjac1975]

Warm and moist won't sprout? I thought that was pretty much the basis for germination? What should I be doing?

The night temps haven't gotten below the mid 30s, and generally have been in the 40s.

Sorry-poorly written. If you have good conditions and they have not sprouted the seed is not viable. Mine were up in less than a week. Get new seed. If the night temps are that low in the greenhouse I do not think they will germinate.

 

[NwMtGardener]

@thistlebloom I don't know how warm it is, but it is in the neighbor's greenhouse. I would think it would be warm enough? It has been over 60 outside the last couple weeks, this week it has been 76-81 during the day, and it has been at the least the mid to upper 30s, this week being 40s at night. It is much, MUCH warmer in the greenhouse, than outside.

Wishin - I think the low night time temps your seeds are experiencing may be the problem - I try to keep my seed boxes around 85-90 degrees for 24 hours a day, which for me means supplemental heat. I have used the Christmas lights underneath method, and recently have been using a large high watt light bulb instead to keep the area around the seeds pretty warm. Lots of other kinds of seeds would sprout at those temps (in your friend's greenhouse) but I find tomatoes and peppers to really like it HOT!

 

[Wishin']

Well I guess I will leave these ones as they are, and hope they sprout and try starting some more seeds and maybe cover them with a plastic bottle at night. Thanks for the help.

 

[NwMtGardener]

Wishin - do you have any way to put a heat lamp or mat or Christmas lights under them in the greenhouse? Or could you start them inside your house on top of the refridgerator or water heater or under an old incandescent bulb that puts off heat? Good luck!