Tomato seedlings wilting three weeks after trans plant.

[Cynthia Reece]

I transplanted my seedlings into Miracle Gro potting mix. After three weeks the tomato plants started to wilt like the attached picture. I am not sure what is cause the wilting. I kept them under shop lights for about 12 to 18 hours a day. Any help figuring out what is causing this would be much appreciated.

 

[alp]

Don't think the ciggie smoke helps! LOL! Only joking. That's a small pot for a transplanted plant! Hope someone gives you some USEFUL advice!

 

[David from Dothan]

Have to agree with alp.....that is a SMALL pot for that size plant. Don't think that a "shop light" gives the spectrums of light that plants, this size, requires, either. Looks like this one is just about at the point of no return.

 

[David from Dothan]

......and tomatoes ARE adversely affected by tobacco mosaic virus.....

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden....ms/diseases/viruses/tobacco-mosaic-virus.aspx

 

[roadrunner]

In addition to the pot size and lighting already mentioned, I wonder about the drainage of that cup....Are there drain holes?

 

[TomatoTango]

I’ve seen miracle grow potting mix do this to many other plants. The tiny pot isn’t helping either.

 

[DirtMechanic]

@Cynthia Reece I want you to know that the gang of crows that were just giving you the details not only mean well, but they are correct.

 

[Cynthia Reece]

Thank you all for your advice. I appreciate it.
What if I try to transplant them again in a different soil?

 

[David from Dothan]

@Cynthia Reece I want you to know that the gang of crows that were just giving you the details not only mean well, but they are correct.

Hahahaha.....it's actually "murder" of crows........

 

[DirtMechanic]

Hahahaha.....it's actually "murder" of crows........

IF they were crows..

 

[Purrfluff]

I've used Miracle Gro potting soil and have had no issues with it. We've put tomatoes in it as well and they didn't wilt. While my personal favorite potting soil is Black Gold I kind of think that, for the most part, potting soil is potting soil.

Insufficient drainage could be an issue. If you're going to re-transplant the tomatoes perhaps you could pull out one of them first and see if it is pot bound. If so then you need a bigger pot. If not then I would look at drainage.

It could be that the shop lights aren't providing enough light to keep the plant growing. They might have been fine when it was small but now there isn't enough for a larger plant.

 

[Doelman]

I don't think it's the size of the pot or the soil. I transplanted my tomato seedlings into solo cups, with miracle grow soil, and they're 3x larger than your plant and thriving. I'm going to guess you're either overwatering (no drain holes?), underwatering, or your shop light isn't the right spectrum.