Tomato problems

[kazedwards]

So far this year I’m having issues with my tomatoes. I started them in bags end of February. Potted them into solo cups using a different brand of seed starting mix. Most of them were up a few days after I planted them. I have a small set up in an upstairs furnace room that says 60-70 degrees. I have two lights that are 2 bulb T8 fixtures and have 6500k bulbs in them. One of those I just got this year the other I have had for a few seasons. I also have a plant starting lights that I have no info on. My problem is that I don’t have many true leaves yet. Only a few plants are even starting to get them. Then the cotyledons are really loosing color and starting curl. I have had the lights 2-3” above them and kept the lights on for around 16-18 hours at a time with about 8 in between. I thought maybe the starting Mix was the issue so tonight I repotted a few. The root systems seem very healthy. One plants roots were almost a foot and a half long with very poor top growth. Right now rotated which plants were under the new lights thinking maybe the new lights are the issue. I might flip a bulb from each light fixture as well. I also noticed that the bottom third was quite soggy so I’m going to cut back on water. The furnace room is un finished and has some drywall dust in it but it isn’t in contact or being distributed really but I guess could be the issue too. Am I missing anything or any advice as to what to do to correct this?

[philagardener]

I'd try starting some seed in a different mix. You mentioned that as one change from the past, and so many folks are having issues with herbicides and other chemicals in commercial stuff. We are poisoning the planet.

[ferdzy]

Yeah, agree this is likely a potting mix issue.

The weirdest things can throw seedlings off - last spring we used some potting mix we had stored in the garage, and it turned out mice had been in it. We planted onions, and up came peas and sunflowers. The onions did terribly. I think it might have been the mouse piss that was the problem.

We've had enough trouble with cheap potting mix that we now make a point to buy a sterile mix designed for seedlings, pay the extra money, and be sure to store any leftovers on a high shelf in the basement.

[reed]

You said the bottom 3rd was wet, letting them dry out a little more might help too. How come you start your tomatoes so early? I won't be starting mine for another week or so.

[kazedwards]

Thats the normal time for peppers around here and I normally just start tomatoes at the same time. Our last frost is mid April with a late one sometimes early May. I typically have an issues with seed starting mix no matter the brand. Yesterday I was able to get some Fox farms potting soil. I have used them before and really like them but I have to go out of the way to get it. I will probably go head a repot them.

[xdrix]

I have know exactely the same problem.
For catch up thoses plants i have put them in a mix 50% potting soil 50% horse manure it was very efficient

I cut the braun roots and remove the old potting soil.