when do I take the lid off?

hotcookie101

I have some tomato seedlings coming through, they are very tiny (sown late ) about 3cm tall, with seed leaves only. they are on my windowsill in a propagator, which I have the vent open on, but was wondering if I should be taking the lid off now they are through? I just thought with the lid on, and vents open, it would be a wee bit warmer for them

Foxy0810

I'd leave them in there as long as thy will fit to help keep them growing strong

hazzie123

I'm a cheapskate and just use cling film as a covering on my seedlings,as soon as the first seedling appears the cling film comes off.I don't pot on until they have their true leaves either.That way seems to work fine with me.

mrbadexample

Is the propagator heated? I'd have taken them out (or lid off) as soon as they'd germinated. They're more prone to damping off inside the propagator.

hotcookie101

It's not heated. They are in small pots in a seed tray with a clear propagator lid, which has a dial to allow it to be closed or open vented. They are on the kitchen windowsill (gets sun mid-morning-late afternoon-when there is sun)
I have never managed to get tomato seeds to grow before, so I just want to give them the best chance.

LisaB85

I used cling film, as soon as first seedlings appeared I removed it and others have popped up and they are doing well. x

DebtFree2012

I too have used cling film and this morning I have lettuces popping up - just need to know what to do with them now!

hotcookie101

thanks all
The lids are off (from the ones with leaves) now just have to keep tomatoes alive for a bit longer.....

baza52

I got my tomatoes in very early this year and 1 has about 8 tomatoes on it allready the size of a marble, as well as about 50 or so flowers.

blossomhill_2

With a propagator, a good way to do it is to prop the lid up through the dayso it is above the base hovering above the plants, leaving a gap of about an inch all the way round -this way the plants get air and a little breeze to help them form strong stemsand the condensation gets out - a couple of matchboxes are ideal for proppingit up - then replace it for nighttimes and repeat in the morning