Strawberries and Tomatoes Inside Apartment

[rodriguezpoultry]

First post over here! I'm a long-time member of backyardchickens.com, but thought I'd branch over here since I have little to no knowledge of gardening.

I'm so happy with myself. I got seeds approximately 6 days ago for tomatoes. Somehow overnight they busted through and are approximately 1-2" tall. Some of them have their first set of leaves.

Thing is, I didn't expect any of them to survive, this being my first time to grow anything. Other than a cactus...which I've killed.

I've had them on the windowsill inside of an ice cube tray. I've also had them wrapped in cling-wrap to create a "greenhouse" atmosphere going on. That way, the moisture wouldn't leave. But, now that I have growth, I need to separate them before I can't get the seedlings separated from each other.

Should I keep wrapping them in plastic wrap? Or should I wait a bit for them to grow a bit larger before moving them into 8oz. cups or should I just go ahead and separate and water them instead of allowing the plastic wrap to keep the moisture in there?

Here's the current setup for the tomatoes:

Again, this was my first attempt so I didn't think anything would live, which is why I put so many seeds in each ice cub thingy...

 

[vfem]

Now would be a good time to take the plastic off. You don't want to keep it too moist inside now that they have germinated. You will need to thin out your sprouts, as more then 1 per cube area will run out of nutrients, and they will begin to kill and weaken each other to survive.

I would wait until they get their first true set of leaves before transplanting them into cups, maybe even a second set. What you see there is not the first true set of these, those are the Cotyledon. These are the first thing you see on all new sprouts, the 'true' leaves are probably days away from beginning development still.

So far so good. :rose

Are you asking if you can keep them and have tomatoes grow on plants indoors from these too?



I remember you from BYC! Most of use have wondered this way from there.

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

At the moment, the plan is to move them outside once they are about 6" and have at least 2 sets of leaves. During cold days, the plant will stay indoors, but on nice sunny ones, it will be outside on a west-facing patio. Unfortunately, it's not full sun thanks to the balcony above us, but...

The strawberries seem to be doing alright for the moment. I tried to take a picture, but the flash whitens the tiny little berry too much. I've got one flower that's one it's way out, but looks like two more are on the way in.

I moved them into those biodegradable "cubes". One plant per each. I've also put some into some egg cartons...just to see what happens. Also kept some inside of the ice cube thingy.

You do select the best plants based on swiftness of growing right? I mean, you plant them all on the same day, the ones that sprouted first and are the largest and more developed are the ones you select for your future plants right?


I'm totally out of my element here...chickens are SO much easier.

 

[vfem]

Don't worry, you'll get the hang of it... and become obsessed like the rest of us!!!

 

[ducks4you]

, rodriguezpoultry!
Tomatoes are a great crop for 1st -timers. They are a native, North American crop, so they do well pretty much everywhere. As you now know current tomato seeds are very viable. Here's a couple of thoughts about how to proceed with your little seedlings:
1) When you transplant, why don't you divide the group in about 1/2.
2) Take half and transplant each "ice cube" group of the little buggers into a much bigger pot (They'll grow really fast for you, and you won't have to transplant twice before putting them into the ground.)
3) Take the other half, transplant each "ice cube" group, transplant into a bigger pot, then take scissors and carefully snip the tops off of all but one per group.
4) Take about 1/4 of your group plantings and put them int the ground together in the same hole.
5) Take the other 1/4 of your group plantings, soak in water for 30 minutes, then separate their roots. Plant these in their own individual holes.

We have ALL done these things before. Everybody has their own personal preferance, and I think you'll decide on your favorite way to grow tomatoes at the end of your first season. Enjoy--MAN, even the leaves smell good this time of year!!

 

[silkiechicken]

Welcome!

Many ways to grow them little guys up, but I'd still get them out of a cubic inch of soil in an ice cube tray and into something more substantial. Experiment with what works best for you!

Don't forget way down the road (6 weeks or so) that once the true leaves are all happily growing inside, you'll need to harden them off if you want them to stay green outside. Sun and weather of the great out doors can turn a wonderful bushy inside plant yellow and wilty in a few days if not hardened off gradually.

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

Oh really? I have to harden them?

What does that mean? How do I do it? WHY must I do it?

Remember, they'll probably be coming inside each night and on days that the weather is bad.

 

[silkiechicken]

Basically slowly acclimate them to being outside so they don't get sun/wind/cold burnt.


Just put them out for a few hours, then a few more hours, then all day, then eventually day and night. You won't have to bring them in once warmer weather hits. Matter of fact, they would be better off getting a bit of wind, rain, and night time cooling to help them get strong branches to support fruit, and to keep their day/night cycle in order so the flowers are fertile.

 

[vfem]

Basically slowly acclimate them to being outside so they don't get sun/wind/cold burnt.


Just put them out for a few hours, then a few more hours, then all day, then eventually day and night. You won't have to bring them in once warmer weather hits. Matter of fact, they would be better off getting a bit of wind, rain, and night time cooling to help them get strong branches to support fruit, and to keep their day/night cycle in order so the flowers are fertile.

Oh yes this is extremely important... this is the most likely way to lose our started plants. It like they are learning to swim... you don't want to through them in the 9ft section to start. Just kind of wade them in. :watering

 

[wifezilla]

I used to kill my transplants all the time during hardening off. I am getting better though