Possible to suspend or slow growth?

[secuono]

So my tomato plants are big, too big for my lights, it's too cold outside, no more lights or place to put them.

I've been only lighting them for 6hrs a day in hopes of slowing them down or just having them stay where they are in size!

Is that possible? Could they last well enough on just 6hrs of light a day until it finally gets warm enough to put them outside for the day, 1-2mo away?
Windows are way too dark and cold, w/e part of them touches the glass will die, old windows. Also don't have any spare windows either.

I never expected them to grow so well, they're making up for previous plants in previous years not growing at all! =/

 

[thistlebloom]

If I were in your shoes I would just start over. Count back 8 weeks from your last average frost date to see when the best seeding time is for your area.

 

[majorcatfish]

have too agree with thistlebloom ....

 

[Lavender2]

If my tomato seedlings get less than 12 hours of light they get tall and spindly. Less light really won't slow them down. I agree, if you have 8 weeks to go, I would start over... you could also try taking some cuttings from your seedlings and rooting them, and hope they wouldn't get too over grown to deal with before you could get them planted out. (if they are indeterminate)

 

[digitS']

You aren't slowing them with so little light unless the temperatures are also lowered.

They may be more and more spindly but they will stretch, searching for light.

Steve

 

[thistlebloom]

Oh that's a good idea @Lavender2 ! I didn't think of cuttings. Maybe do both and cover your bases.

 

[secuono]

What if I move them to where it's colder?

 

[Ridgerunner]

What I've done in the past for indeterminants is to cut them back to one true leaf. They send out a bud at that true leaf node so you are starting over but with the root system in place.

 

[secuono]

April 15 is the supposed last frost free date, so I'd have to plant new ones now.
I much rather not kill the whole plant. I think DH would have a cow if he found out I killed them just because they grew too fast. =/
The cukes and peppers are taking their time. So those should be just fine.

(hour passed before I got back to this thread)

Moved stuff out of the way and put a light and tallest tomatoes over by DHs desk. Don't think he will be happy about it, but w/e. I'm sure he will be fine if I told him the alternative was to kill the plants and start over or trim them and hope they survive it.
This spot is also much cooler, since it's on the floor and we all know heat rises. Hopefully that helps them. But now they have room to grow 1-1.5 feet more if they don't slow down.
I'll be making some cages for them tomorrow.

I'll post pics in my other thread.

Thanks all!
I'll start seeds next year in late February or early March. Hopefully, they decide to grow nicely like these did this year.

And I'll try the trimming thing one one tomato plant and see what it does.

Thanks.