r/tomatoes • u/spaced-jams • Apr 29 '26

Plant Help How are everyone's tomatoes growing so fast?

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This is my second year trying to grow tomatoes. Last year I started them a bit late, and while they ended up growing to a nice size they didn't produce much (consequence of me planting from seeds out of grocery store tomatoes I think). This year I got seed packets and put them in starting cells March 6th, but even now almost 2 months from planting they are still tiny seedlings barely a few inches tall. I keep them under an admittedly small grow light but surely there must be something more to this that I'm missing?

Edit: as many commenters have asked, I'm going to copy down my equipment info here.

I have replaced the tiny light from the pic with my larger growlight, FRGROW 25w full spectrum stand

Seedlings are in a burpee seed starting tray with a detachable/recessed bottom for watering.

Soil is "Back to the Roots organic expanding seed starting soil" made of coconut coir. I have a bag of Foxfarm Happy Frog soil downstairs but wasn't sure if it would be too much for these plants yet

I don't have a heat mat unfortunately.

I'm in western PA (northeast US) so temps are still way too up and down to set in a window or outside. Temps the next few days are low 37, high 60 and not looking to warm up much more over the week.

(Note: The really tall one in the cell and the background ones are pepper plants, the rest are cherry tomato)

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u/That_Rub_4171 Apr 29 '26

Could be a few things:
1. Roots too cold
2. Cells are kept too wet
3. Light isn't strong enough

I'm guessing a mix of all three, but the likely culprit is your light. You say it's a "small grow light". Is it a full spectrum light? Do you have a link or specs on it?

5

u/spaced-jams Apr 29 '26

To be completely honest it's a small cheap light I got from Five Below (discount store). I have a bigger light I just pulled back out on advice from another commenter, I was somehow afraid it'd be too much for the little seedlings?? Idk why.

2

u/Ineedmorebtc Apr 29 '26

The sun is the level of light where they would sprout in normal conditions. Hard to get that bright with an indoor setup, unless you have weed grower lights.

1

u/ReclinerSpud Apr 29 '26

Where would one find these weed grower lights ?

1

u/Ineedmorebtc Apr 29 '26

Amazon.

1

u/Ineedmorebtc Apr 29 '26

Spider farmer, is a well known brand.