It is important for every gardener to get a good result from his work. Thanks to the experience gained, they grow a large crop. Beginners in this business may encounter difficulties at any stage of tomato growth. Many of them are faced with an important question: why is it falling? tomato seedlings. Experienced gardeners have identified two reasons for this deviation from the norm:
- disruptions in care;
- diseases.
The main thing is to correctly identify the cause and eliminate it, rather than deal with the consequences.
Irregularities in caring for seedlings
Even under the most ideal indoor conditions, you should pay attention to various little things. Experts recommend “donating” one bush of seedlings, removing it from the mold and assessing the condition of the soil and roots based on external indicators in order to more accurately determine the cause of the fall.
- Excess moisture. If the number of drainage holes is insufficient or the volume is too small, the liquid remains in the soil after watering. Because of this, the roots simply suffocate, the plant becomes lethargic, and the leaves droop. When examining the root system, the lump of earth will have a swampy character and hang on the roots. Also, to diagnose this disorder, it is necessary to stop watering; if after some time the soil still remains wet, then this is the problem.
Solution to the problem. Drain holes may need to be added, enlarged, or cleaned. Stop watering for a while. - Lack of moisture. If less moisture enters the soil than required, the leaves will begin to turn yellow and dry, and the tomato bushes will become lethargic and lifeless. Upon inspection, the roots will be dry, the earth will hang on them like pebbles or simply be covered with dust.
Solution. It is necessary to water urgently, checking the drainage holes to avoid excess moisture.
- Dry air. If there is a radiator, stove or other object that generates heat near the seedlings, the tomatoes may begin to wilt and even fall. This is caused by insufficient air humidity. Upon examination, the roots will look completely healthy.
Solution. Tomato seedlings need to be moved a little further away from the heat source. If the device is mobile, then you need to move it away, leaving the tomatoes in their place. Place a wide container of water nearby. Humidify the air daily using a spray bottle. Spray water in the evening to avoid the effect of a magnifying glass on the leaves and to avoid burning them in direct sunlight. - Oxygen. Tomato seedlings, like other plants, love fresh air. When ventilating the room, drafts from a cold air stream may occur, which will lead to a sharp temperature change and the fall of the bushes.
Solution. When ventilating the room, the best option would be to remove the seedlings completely. If this is not possible, you need to protect her. You can open one window so that fresh air enters gradually, without creating drafts. - Light. If tomato leaves do not receive enough light, the seedlings become stretched. Thus, the stem becomes thin and weak. Unable to withstand the load of new leaves, the stem may fall.
Solution. Tomato seedlings must be provided with sufficient light. If there is a lack of sunlight, the room is supplemented with fluorescent lamps. It is necessary to maintain a day and night routine. At night, the lamps should be turned off so that the plants can rest.
Seedling diseases
Problems with the care of tomato seedlings are easier to deal with than diseases.
- Blackleg. Tomatoes suffer from these diseases due to excessive watering and stagnation of water in the soil. A manifestation of this disease is darkening of the stem at the very base, hence the name. Then the root system begins to rot, the seedlings begin to wither and fall. To avoid this, it is necessary to water the tomatoes moderately and loosen the soil after each watering so that sufficient oxygen enters. Wood ash is also added to the soil to prevent blackleg.
- Fusarios. A fungal disease that affects the roots of seedlings and the plant begins to die even with proper care. The reason lies in improper soil preparation. In this case, it is urgent to transplant the tomato into disinfected soil.
To prevent the spread of infection, it is necessary to properly prepare the soil before planting, and the container for sowing seeds for tomato seedlings should also be disinfected. If the choice fell on special soil from the store, there is no need to carry out additional actions with it. If the soil was selected independently, you need to heat it in the oven or pour it with a weak solution of potassium permanganate. This solution also helps if the disease is already visually noticeable on the seedlings.
Useful tips
For good growth of tomato seedlings, you must adhere to some rules:
- It is better to buy soil for planting in specialized stores.
- Seeds are sown at a distance of 2-3 cm from each other to prevent the seedlings from stretching.
- It is necessary to choose the sunny side or additionally use fluorescent lamps.
- After each watering you need to fluff up the soil.
- You can add sand to the soil. It will prevent over compaction and retain moisture.
- It is better to water less often, but with plenty of water.
In order for the seedlings to grow healthy and strong, it is necessary to follow small rules and monitor the conditions of detention.
