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Probably, tomatoes are those vegetables, the disappearance of which from our diet, we simply cannot imagine. In the summer, we eat them fresh, fry, boil, stew when preparing various dishes, and make preparations for the winter. One of the most delicious and healthy juices is tomato juice. Tomatoes contain vitamins, biologically active substances, they are indicated in the diet for weight loss and depression. If there are no contraindications, they are advised to include in the diet of people of very advanced age. In addition, they can be grown on any site in almost any climatic zone – the benefit of varieties and hybrids is apparently invisible. Today we will answer a question that is asked very often: “Why are tomato seedlings purple?”.
What do you need to successfully grow tomatoes?
Let’s first find out what the likes and dislikes of tomatoes are, because growing them successfully depends on how well we take care of them. After all, the birthplace of tomatoes is not only a different continent, a completely different climatic zone, they are used to a hot and dry climate. In our conditions, tomatoes grow exclusively 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;
- Airing;
- Moderate uniform watering;
- dry air;
- Warm;
- High doses of phosphorus.
Tomatoes react negatively to the following:
- Heavy loams and acidic soils;
- fresh manure;
- Thickened landings;
- Stagnation of air (poor ventilation);
- Wet air;
- Excess nitrogen;
- Temperature above 36 degrees;
- Uneven watering and waterlogging of the soil;
- Excess mineral fertilizers;
- Prolonged 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. Tomatoes can turn completely purple, only the leg can turn purple, but most often the underside of the leaves turns blue.
In fact, the blue color of tomato leaves indicates 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 put a thermometer next to the seedlings of a tomato, 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 stands close to a cold window pane, this may be the problem.
How to help if tomato seedlings turn purple
If the leaves of tomatoes, in addition to being painted purple, are also raised up, then the reason is definitely in 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 tomato seedling box to a warmer place and light up to 12 hours a day with a fluorescent lamp or phytolamp. After a while, the seedlings of the tomato will acquire the usual green color without any additional feeding.
But if the temperature of the content of tomatoes is obviously higher than 15 degrees, then it really is a matter of a lack of phosphorus. Spraying with a superphosphate extract over the leaf can help quickly and effectively. To do this, pour a tablespoon of superphosphate with a cup (150 g) of boiling water, let it brew for 8-10 hours. After that, dissolve in 2 liters of water, spray and water the seedlings.
Another reason that contributes to the poor absorption of phosphorus can be, oddly enough, the backlight.
During the day, even in cloudy weather, a plant standing by the window receives a certain dose of ultraviolet radiation. At night, you can highlight only those tomatoes that receive exclusively artificial lighting, and strictly 12 hours, and not around the clock.
Every plant should have a dormant period. It is during the dark time of the day that tomatoes absorb and process the nutrients accumulated during the day.
How to make tomato seedlings more resistant
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, it is good to soak them in a solution of epin. Epin is a highly effective bioregulator and stimulant that helps the plant to safely survive stress-causing factors, including hypothermia.
It is very good to water seedlings of tomatoes not with water, but with a weak solution of humate. For some reason, manufacturers rarely write how to properly dissolve it. This is done as follows: pour a teaspoon of humate into a metal saucepan or mug, pour boiling water over it. Shake the resulting black foamy liquid and add cold water to 2 liters. When watering tomato seedlings, a weak solution is needed – mix 100 g of the 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:
