This year I did everything the same, but the seeds are from Botanical Interest. I started them in April but they are not growing well. They are only 1"-2" tall and are dying, I planted 14 and 2 have died and more are on the way to the same fait. By this time last year the grocery seeds were 6" tall. The seeds are Tomato Pole San Marzano Organic HEIRLOOM, Tomato Pole Brandywine HEIRLOOM, Tomato Pole Beefsteak Organic HEIRLOOM and Tomato Cherry Supersweet.

And before anyone says it, I know, I know, I started them late.

Day time temps have been in the high 60's and 70's and night time temps have been in the 50's. Should I bring them in at night.

Linda

They can easily drown and develop root rot with all the moisture those pots hold. And if you over-water them the problem is only made worse.

There is a good How to grow tomatoes from seed FAQ here as well as even more FAQs covering all the basics on how to do it successfully over on the Growing from Seed forum.

Dave

I wouldn't think the soil is the problem because I did this with the seeds I collected from a grocery store tomato last year and they did great. The plants got to 10' tall.

Perhaps last year was just luck, perhaps the outside weather was different, perhaps the compost you used was more nutrient rich or had a more active soil food web, perhaps you watered differently, etc.

But statistically the most common causes of stunted growth is the media they are growing in and the balance of moisture that is maintained in ratio to root development.

Compost provides minimal nutrients in containers since there is no active soil food web to act on it so a good feeding of a diluted, well balanced fertilizer might kick-start them.

Dave

I have never tried to start seeds in my compost, although voulnteers certainly start there on occassion.

I am seeing that purplish color on the underside of tge leaves that tomato seedlings get when they are cold. I seem to remember it indicates a nutitional deficiency; maybe Mg, but I mostly remember it means they are cold.

Growing , medium is secondary. COLD is the primary problem.
CASE IN POIT:
I have two seedlings that I took outside after shutting down my indoor grow operation. They are there but not growing as nearly as fast as they would indoor under lights.

If you want your seedling grow, they need no less than 65F around the clock, UNTIL they develop their root system and enough foliage to get going.

ONE MORE THING:
I would fertilize them WEAKLY , WEEKLY(1/3 normal rec.)

Buy a small bag of a good potting mix - not soil, mix - and transplant one of the plants into it, preferably in a somewhat smaller container if you have one, water carefully, and watch what happens. You can learn alot from comparative studies like this and it is good info to have for future reference.

While the plants may be slightly purple and while that can be a symptom that they are low in phos, it is also very common in healthy young transplants. Plus phos isn't a top growth stimulant anyway so even if they are low in P it wouldn't explain the stunted growth directly.

And the temps you have related are common temps and no problem even for greenhouse growers this time of year.

Most gardeners know from experience that the growing medium is the primary source of growth issues so try the media change test and see what happens. :)

Dave

In the sam FAQ it says( quote below)

"Slow Growth
When seedlings refuse to grow it is usually because the temperature is too low or the nutrient level is insufficient. "

That is what "nanelle" and I have mentioned.

One has to realize that medium is just that "MEDIUM" a mediator. So as long is it has proper moisture retention/drainage and supplied with needed nutrients , it make littl difference as what it is made of. SURELY, some media are better b'c they offer a better and balanced moisture retention. Believe or not , I have germinated all kinds of tomatoes, peppers, eggplants in garden soil in the past. Not the best, I admit but it can be done.