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Probably, tomatoes are those vegetables whose disappearance from our diet we simply cannot imagine. In the summer we eat them fresh, fry them, boil them, stew them when preparing various dishes, and make preparations for the winter. One of the most delicious and healthy juices is tomato juice. Tomatoes contain vitamins and biologically active substances; they are indicated in the diet for weight loss and depression. If there are no contraindications, they are advised to be included in the diet of very elderly people. In addition, they can be grown in any area in almost any climate zone - the benefit of varieties and hybrids is visible and invisible. Today we will answer a question that is asked very often: “Why are tomato seedlings purple?”
What you need to successfully grow tomatoes
Let's first find out what tomatoes like and don't like, because their successful cultivation depends on how well we take care of them. After all, the homeland of tomatoes is not only a different continent, a completely different climatic zone, they are accustomed to a hot and dry climate. In our conditions, tomatoes grow solely thanks to the efforts of breeders and our efforts.
So, tomatoes prefer:
- Moderately fertile water- and breathable soil with a slightly acidic or neutral reaction;
- Bright sun;
- Ventilation;
- Moderate uniform watering;
- Dry air;
- Warm;
- Increased doses of phosphorus.
Tomatoes react negatively to the following:
- Heavy loams and acidic soils;
- Fresh manure;
- Thickened plantings;
- Air stagnation (poor ventilation);
- Wet air;
- Excess nitrogen;
- Temperature above 36 degrees;
- Uneven watering and waterlogging of the soil;
- Excess of mineral fertilizers;
- Long-term cold snap below 14 degrees.
Reasons why tomato seedlings may turn purple
Sometimes tomato seedlings turn purple, and different varieties growing in the same box can be colored differently. The entire tomato may turn purple, or only the stem may turn purple, but most often the underside of the leaves turns blue.
In fact, the blue color of tomato leaves signals a lack of phosphorus. But before giving additional feeding, let's take a closer look at the causes of phosphorus starvation. After all, tomatoes do not like excess mineral fertilizers, as noted above. And seedlings are not even a full-fledged plant; they are very vulnerable to any mistake.
If you place a thermometer next to the tomato seedlings and it shows a higher temperature, this is not a reason to calm down. The thermometer shows the air temperature, the soil temperature is lower. If a box of tomato seedlings is placed close to a cold window glass, this may be the problem.
How to help if tomato seedlings have turned purple
If the tomato leaves, in addition to turning purple, are also raised upward, then the reason is definitely the low temperature.You can install foil between the window sill and the box with tomato seedlings - it will protect from the cold and provide additional lighting. If this does not help, move the box with tomato seedlings to a warmer place and add light for up to 12 hours a day using a fluorescent lamp or phytolamp. After some time, the tomato seedlings will acquire their usual green color without any additional feeding.
But if the temperature of the tomatoes is obviously above 15 degrees, then it really is a lack of phosphorus. Spraying a superphosphate extract on the leaf can help quickly and effectively. To do this, pour a tablespoon of superphosphate into a cup (150 g) of boiling water, let it brew for 8-10 hours. After this, dissolve in 2 liters of water, spray and water the seedlings.
Another reason contributing to poor absorption of phosphorus may be, oddly enough, lighting.
During the day, even in cloudy weather, a plant standing near a window receives a certain dose of ultraviolet radiation. At night, only those tomatoes that receive exclusively artificial lighting can be illuminated, and strictly for 12 hours, and not around the clock.
Any plant must have a dormant period. It is in the dark that tomatoes absorb and process the nutrients accumulated during the day.
How to make tomato seedlings more resilient
As you know, strong plants are more resistant to negative factors. This is very important for tomato seedlings.
Even at the stage of preparing tomato seeds for planting, soak them well in an epin solution. Epin is a highly effective bioregulator and stimulant that helps the plant safely survive factors that cause stress, including hypothermia.
It is very good to water tomato seedlings not with water, but with a weak solution of humate. For some reason, manufacturers rarely write how to dissolve it correctly. This is done like this: pour a teaspoon of humate into a metal saucepan or mug, pour boiling water over it. Shake the resulting black foaming liquid and add cold water to 2 liters. When watering tomato seedlings, you need a weak solution - mix 100 g of solution with 1 liter of water. The solution can be stored indefinitely.
You might be interested in watching a short video about the 5 most common mistakes when growing tomatoes:
