Why Are My Tomato Sprouts Tall and Spindy?

Question

They are taking forever and just now set their second set of leaves. They are still just sitting there under the grow light, tall and spindly and it does not look like they are getting any better.

 

Answer 1

Leggy tomatoes, or plants in general, normally mean they are not getting enough light. I would recommend moving your plants to an area where they will receive more sunlight.

Answer 2

Also, how far are they from the grow light. Vegetables need to be 8-10” from the bulbs, and as seedlings 5-7” would be preferable.

Answer 3

My tomato sprouts are approximately 6 inches from the grow light. In addendum to my previous question, my sprouts are tall and spindly, but they finally started growing the second set of leaves. That’s the only change to them. They are still tall and spindly.

I might add that the seeds had been stored in the package they came in, as they were left overs. The package had been put into a jar, which in turn was put into the refrigerator. Was the refrigerator part wrong for storage????

Answer 4

Do you think that putting the seeds in a jar into the refrigerator might have affected the seeds?

Answer 5

My family has saved heirloom seeds for decades. After drying, the seeds are put into pill bottles, baby food containers, envelopes or whatever and placed in the freezer. Tomato seed are usually good ford 8-10 years. I would think that if one were to use a vacuum sealer they would last indefinitely.
I doubt that keeping the seed in the fridge has anything to do with the height. How wet are you keeping the seedlings? I try to keep mine on the dry side so they will grow ‘tough’. Dry, to almost wilting…once transplanted into cell packs or pots and growing, I let them slightly dry between watering’s. This makes the stem more sturdy as does brushing them slightly each day to mimic wind.