Help Needed with a Transplant Question

[durandal]

OK, so I have started my tomatoes back in February, along with my peppers. I started in 288 cell trays and have been experimenting with different types of germination mixes both store purchased (organic and non) and my own mix.

Once I get true leaves I deep transplant them over to 1.5" tray for transplant later in spring with a raised bed, mulch and clear cover...pre-last frost.

My question is...

I am starting to lose germinated seedlings, prior to transferring into the 1.5" trays. They are wilting. I had one or two wilt on me post transfer as well.

The germination is being done a seed mat and soil temps are in the 70 mid to low 70s with a clear cover.

Transfer to the 1.5" trays are growing in 60 to 58 degree soil. I am trying to get a water cycle down to allow the soil to dry a little bit to get air in.

I am worried about the wilt though. Is this because the soil gets too warm or too wet or both? There seems to be a little bit decay in the root.

I admit I have wasted probably just a tray alone comparing root growth.

This is my first year tackling large germination and transplants. I have done smaller quantities in the past but never enough to notice patterns.

Now I am growing 2000 plants and have started REALLY observing.

Anyone have any ideas to bounce around? Or need more info to give me a suggestion?

MOST of the plants are in good order.

Thanks!

[plantsnobin]

tomclothier.hort.net/page13.html This website has lots of info on seed starting, this link is for 'damping off'.

[kctomato]

once the majority of them are up I remove the clear cover (dampening off reasons)

wilts usually have something to do with root problems or vascular problems. Dampening off generally one can see a constriction of the stems right at the soil line and they tend to fall over. Wilting maybe secondary.

if they are too wet they may wilt from not enough oxygen.

[durandal]

Thanks for the help!

I have to say, doing transplants takes the doldrums out of the last stint of winter. Its been fun.