Why tomato seedlings turn yellow: reasons and what to do

There are several reasons why tomato seedlings turn yellow. Be sure to deal with the problem in time. A good harvest can only be obtained when the seedlings are strong and he althy. Therefore, you need to know how to care for her.

Lack or excess of trace elements

If you understand the situation and determine the true problem of yellowing, drying of seedling leaves, then it will become much easier to deal with the problem. Seedlings grown on the windowsill require fertilizing for full development. But not only the lack of any substances leads to a problem, but also their overabundance.Therefore, you must follow the instructions for dilution and dosage.

The following main unfavorable factors are distinguished, why the leaves of tomato seedlings turn yellow.

If the lower leaves of tomato seedlings turn yellow, and the veins at the same time acquire a red tint, this often happens as a result of a lack of nitrogen. The leaves are small and light green in color. Fertilizing with nitrogen will help correct the situation.
The lower leaves of the seedlings on the windowsill turn yellow due to sulfur deficiency, and they become hard and dense to the touch.
When the tips of the leaves dry and turn yellow, you need to exclude potassium deficiency.
Lack of zinc leads to yellowing at the edges of the leaves, curling them and the appearance of dark spots.
When the yellowed areas begin to lighten, then you need to add nutrients with iron.
If the upper leaves turn yellow first, this indicates a lack of phosphorus. An overabundance of this component is indicated by the complete yellowing of all leaves on the plant.
If there is little manganese in the soil, then initially the leaves become covered with yellow spots, and then dry completely.

What to do if tomato seedlings turn yellow? In the case when seedlings do not grow well and other problems appear, it is necessary to provide them with the necessary fertilizers in a timely manner. This will prevent yellowing, drying and curling of greens. It is recommended to apply fertilizer for each bush separately.

Common causes of the problem

Why the leaves of tomato seedlings may turn yellow, there are many reasons, but the main ones that gardeners face are the following.

Seeds are recommended to be planted only in special soil. Ordinary land from the garden or bought in a store, but intended for flowers, will not work. The problem of why the leaves of tomato seedlings turn yellow may be due to acidic, dense soil.The soil may have been over-fertilized.
Leaves may turn yellow due to damage to the root branches during picking or a sharp change in air temperature, as a result, plant nutrition is disrupted.
Why else can there be problems? Lack of soil or cramped container where seedlings are planted. When sowing seeds, the distance between the holes should be observed. If you plant the seeds close, then the sprouts begin to stretch, trying to absorb the light. Dense plantings have few nutrients, the roots are intertwined.
Seedlings may lack light, resulting in thinning and stretching of the stem. Tomatoes need plenty of daylight daily. About 12 hours a day, seedlings should receive light, otherwise development stops. Often the lighting on the windowsill is insufficient, so you need to highlight the lamp.
Why do tomato seedlings dry, the answer may be related to the dry, hot air in the room. It causes the leaves to dry out and change color.
If the seedlings are grown in a cool place, then the nutrients are not absorbed, the development of the sprouts slows down and the appearance changes.
Irrigation errors are among the common causes.

What to do when tomato seedlings turn yellow and wither? If top dressing is applied correctly, then you need to make sure that watering is organized correctly. Watering should be moderate and uniform. If you water too often and excessively, then the earth will begin to turn sour, and oxygen will not flow well to the roots. In this case, the lower and cotyledon leaves of the seedlings begin to become covered with yellowness.

On the contrary, lack of moisture causes tomato leaves to dry. Dry soil prevents the penetration of nutrients into the plant. Dry soil is easy to fix, it is enough to water the sprouts with settled water in time.

If the soil is watered with hard water, then a crust with a white or yellowish coating forms on the surface. The roots begin to draw all trace elements from the plant into the soil. Water for irrigation should be warm and settled.

You need to water in the morning or evening hours, avoiding moisture on the green part of the plant. If watered at lunchtime when the sun is shining brightly, the plant may get burned.

Why did tomato seedlings feel bad? Other reasons why tomato seedlings turned yellow include infectious diseases (black leg, fusarium, septoria), the use of low-quality fertilizer or its improper dilution. For example, if gray spots appear simultaneously with the yellowing of the leaves, then this may be a disease such as septoria. The pathogen enters the plant from the soil.

Sudden changes

Sometimes it happens that suddenly the tomato seedlings turn yellow and dry, what to do in such a situation? Temperature fluctuations, watering with cold water or carrying out a picking procedure can provoke a problem. In these cases, literally in a day, the tips of the leaves begin to change color and shape.

Tomato seedlings turn yellow after picking as a result of stress. The pick must be carried out in accordance with all the rules, otherwise the root branches may completely die off and the young shoots will no longer be saved.

Dive rules to avoid problems:

separate containers into which the plant is supposed to dive should be washed well and the soil disinfected;
you need to start the procedure when the seedlings are unfolded by 2-3 leaves;
holes should be made at the bottom of the container to drain excess liquid and provide drainage;
it is recommended to pinch the main root a little, which will make the root system more branched and strong.

If these rules are not followed, the tips of the leaves dry in tomato bushes, the veins turn yellow, the stem weakens and fades.

If the roots are not badly damaged, then you can use drugs such as Zircon, Epin. They promote root formation and increase immunity, which is so important after picking.

Prevention measures

In order for tomato seedlings on the windowsill to feel comfortable, you need to create conditions. It is necessary to choose the right soil, provide sufficient lighting, normal temperature and humidity. Do not forget about watering and timely fertilization.

What can be done if tomato seedlings turn yellow due to soil overflow? If the leaves just turned yellow, but no white bloom formed, you can sprinkle dry wood ash on top and, of course, reduce the frequency of watering.

Seedling transplantation should be carried out urgently in the following cases:

excessive moisture led to acidification of the soil;
excessive alkaline environment;
watering with hard water;
too much fertilizer;
tight container or little soil.

In prepared new containers with special moistened soil, individual sprouts are transplanted. Before planting young sprouts in a container, you need to examine the roots and remove rotten and weak root branches.

After planting, it is recommended to water the plants with water with a few drops of potassium permanganate and move them to a shaded room for a couple of days. As soon as the stem straightens up, and the yellowed foliage begins to turn green, the seedlings are transferred to the windowsill.

If the leaves of tomato seedlings turn yellow, what can I do? Timely application of top dressing will help prevent the tomato seedlings from turning yellow. With a deficiency of some element, the immunity of the plant is reduced. Seedlings become susceptible to diseases, which leads to their death.

The first top dressing is carried out with the emergence of seedlings, this is about 8 days after sowing the seeds. Re-feeding is carried out after another 14 days. Both mineral and organic components are suitable, which can be mixed by yourself, or bought in a ready-made form in the store.

Before fertilizing, the soil should be slightly moistened. Moisturizing will avoid burns of the root system and will contribute to better absorption of nutrients.

Why do the leaves of tomato seedlings dry and change their color? The leaves of the tomato seedlings dry, and the color changes due to lack of oxygen. After several regular waterings and fertilization, the topsoil is compacted and a crust forms, which impairs air circulation. You can solve the problem by loosening the soil. After each watering, you need to loosen the soil without deepening too much, so as not to damage the root system. You can use a pick stick.

23 days before transplanting seedlings into open or closed ground, it is necessary to harden them. Thus, the plants will get used to direct sunlight and fresh air. You need to harden gradually. First you need to take the container with seedlings to the balcony with an open window for a couple of hours. Every day, the time the seedlings stay in the fresh air should be increased, but at night they must be cleaned in a warm place.