Seedlings turning purple

bgardner 4/19/2020, 10:00 pm

I started many of my transplants indoors and am eager to get them outside. Both my tomatoes and peppers are developing purple leaves, and some shoots have died and fallen on the tomatoes. Can anyone help me save my (previously) gorgeous plants?

Brian

**sanderson** 4/20/2020, 4:42 am

Brian, Can you post photos? I will help diagnose what is happening. What did you fill the seedling containers with? They may simply need nutrients. Up-potting into larger containers with some blended compost may help.

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OhioGardener 4/20/2020, 8:42 am

Brian, normally young seedlings turn purple when there is a significant change in temperature, such as moving them outside or to a greenhouse when the nighttime temperatures drop below 50F. You mention that some of the shoots have died and fallen over. That sounds like root rot from being kept too wet, but it could be a fungal disease as well. Make sure the plants are kept above 50F, let the pots dry between watering, and ensure they get 16 - 18 hours of bright light a day.

bgardner 4/22/2020, 10:37 pm

Sorry guys, but I went away from the Internet for a couple of days. Thanks for your responses.

I haven't moved these plants outside yet, because (as Ohio Gardener knows) we are still dropping into freezing temps here in Ohio. I transplanted the tomatoes into larger containers and added some Neptune's Harvest to the water. They seem fine. I've heard that lower potassium can cause the purple haze that had gotten into my seedlings, instead of my brain. The tomato plants shot up over the grow lights, and they are looking fine.

Fingers are crossed. I hope I can get these outside next week.

Brian

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Seedlings turning purple

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