I've recently started some tomato seeds inside, in a South facing window. They are about an inch tall now. I've kept a plastic bag over the pot for humidity. Should I remove the plastic bag now that they are growing, or leave it on? I've never started seeds in a sunny window before, so I have no idea of what to do!

Thanks for any help!

Take the bag off! If it's sunny, the reflected sun could do damage and retain too much moisture.

Thanks Arlene!

Considering your zone, 'pet' them as well. Gently brush your hand over the tops so the stems get flexed - outside wind and breezes flex the stems .. by petting them you're mimicking natural conditions. This will help create stronger cell walls in the stems.

Yes, do it! And you can even talk to them

Okay, if you say so! I'm gently filling in the pot with dirt as they grow taller, since I've heard that it helps with root growth along the stems. But, I'll give them a pat on the head, and tell them that they are good little plants!

You don't want to pat them on the head, just gently brush them from side so the stems flex. What this does is flex the cell walls in the stems causing them to get thicker and stronger.

LOL, "petting" them might not be the best description -- if you can put a gentle fan on them, that will make them stronger plants (but not like hurricane force!) And do turn them so they get the sunlight from different angles.

I simply stroke mine, like Anne, at least once a day. Makes me feel connected.

I've been wiggling the pots as I rotate them, and I blow on them occasionally, too. No way to put a fan on them since they are in my kitchen window. They are getting lots of attention though, because I can't believe that they are still growing! I have horrible luck when it comes to growing tomatoes from seed!

We had to run into town yesterday, and I stopped at the store that sells some veggie plants every year. I went on and on last year about how much I loved these tomatoes, and the guy that runs the veggie tent told me that his supplier called him a month or so ago, and said she is going to try and send him some Sugary plants! If there had been no risk of breaking a hip or my neck, I may have done back flips! She said there was no promise, but she was going to try! She had never grown them either, but he did his best to talk her into it for me.

I just may be a successful tomato plant grower this year! My little plants are growing really well!!

You go girl!!!

Thanks Anne! I am so excited!!

Of course you can do it!

If you saw my failures in the past, you wouldn't be so sure about this! These plants look 100 times better than my last attempts though. The difference is the window. My last house had Low-E glass, and it doesn't let the proper light in for growing plants. But, I do miss those windows because they kept the heat out when it was hot, and the heat in when it was cold. These are just double pane windows.

Absolutely right about the low-E, Natalie --we have that in our sunroom and it really doesn't allow the right light in for seedlings or plants that need "bright light." (My lower-light houseplants... Christmas cactus, African violet, jade tree, etc. do fine there, but my rosemary and scented geraniums totally languished). Good for people, not so much for plants!

My low-e glass seemed just as bright as any other glass, but it blocked almost all of the UV rays, which seems to be more of a factor than anything. One thing I loved about those windows is that nothing in the house faded. Wish I could say the same for the windows in this house. My couch took a hit! But, I can grow tomatoes in the kitchen window now, so it evens out! We'll eventually replace the windows in this house too, but I've decided that the kitchen window isn't going anywhere! I have lots of windows along the south side of the house, but the sills are really low, and the dogs are always looking outside, when they are inside. So, the only safe place is the kitchen. I wish I could line every window sill with seedlings before those windows get replaced!

Had to post a picture of three of the tomato plants that I started in the window. I am so happy with them! I just potted them into larger pots. Never made it to the repotting stage before, so I am really excited! These were all started on the same day. All are the same, Sugary, and all the seeds came from the same seed package. There is a big difference in size! The one on the left was started in a 3 1/2 inch pot, and the other two were started in 2 1/2 inch pots. From now on, I'm not starting them in the smaller pots! Maybe the garden gnome helped.

They look fantastic!