Plant stems thinning out?

Question

I started growing some tomatoe and cucumbers in Dixie cups so I can plant them in the ground later. They just reached the stage where they loose the seed and have 2 leaves. When I moved them out a few days later the stems thinned out. One section of the stem about a centimeter long just thinned out and the plant is now drooping. What's going on? Can I get the plants back to normal and how?

I haven't transplanted them in the ground yet. They're still in their dixie cups. I just moved the dixie cups outside.

Answer 1

THe plant has probably gone into shock because of the change in its environment. Just leave it outside since it is there now. because it is so little and new there is nothing you can really do except wait and see what happens. Cover it at night if you are suppose to have any threat of frost. If it is really wind put somthing up to block the wind. Other than that there is not much more you can do. Good luck, I hope all goes well!

Answer 2

There could be a number of reasons for the wilting
~They grow to long and lanky, thus causing the wilting, Tomatoes are great to start on a window like you did but need full outside sun to grow, Since you moved them outside already and I dont know where you are, it depends on your weather conditions, hopefully the roots are not burned...try rotating the plants a few times a week and use a toothpick or small stick, like your steaking a large plant to hold them upright....

Keeping the plants outdoors can be tricky during the rainy season. Either build a clear plastic or glass cover over top of the seedlings, or be prepared to move them to a sheltered location during storms. In three more weeks, your plants should be ready for the garden

Answer 3

sounds to me like they weren't ready to be placed outside and, beyond that, that you didn't harden them off at all beforehand.

When moving seedlings from a greenhouse environment (which is what you're doing in your dixie cups) to the big, bad, scary outdoors you need to do it gradually so you don't shock them.

Before transplanting them, take them outside and let them sit in the shade for a couple hours each day (while your at work, for example) and bring them back in each night for a couple days and then you can transplant them.

Now that being said, your plants *still* sound like they were a good week or two too early to see the real outdoor world. Those two leaves you see are part of the germination of the seed itself and you really shouldn't consider the plant "adult" until you see the formation the second set of "true" leaves which usually takes another week or two.

Answer 4

weird it might be they are not used to the outside weather give it a few days then take to plant shop???????????????????