Grow Your Own Magazine

Hi everyone!

I have started growing some things from seed for the very first time this year but I am having a few problems! The main one being that most of my new seedlings are coming up really long and gangly and are starting to fall over.(I think I have grown them in too warm a place). My question is, are these seedlings able to be saved or should I scrap them and start again?

Thanks in advance.

Hi BD,

I assume you haven't got a greenhouse, so it sounds like a combination of heat & lack of light that has drawn them up. Try moving them somewhere really bright & see if this helps. Depending what they are, you maybe able to pot them up a bit deeper & get away with it, if not sow some more. If you are working on a window sill try this little trick.

Get a stout cardboard box and cut on the diagonal.

Line on the inside with tinfoil a la Blue peter stand your plants in this in the window & it will reflect some of the light & stop them getting leggy

Drawing attached



PS Welcome to The Vine

__________________
ntg

Never be afraid to try something new.
Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark.
A large group of professionals built the Titanic

http://grief-encounters.blogspot.com/

Hello Bone Doctor, I think you have made the mistake we all made as novices. There is nothing to be gained by sowing seeds too early or trying to force them by germinating in very warm conditions with insufficient light. Don't know what you are growing but most things can be salvaged by re planting right up to the seed leaves and growing on in much cooler conditions. Or as you suggest, put the lot on the compost heap and start again. Later sowings soon catch up and may even forge ahead. Tell us what you are growing and we can advise better. Good luck.

Courgettes and cucumber are the ones with the most problems. Although my tomotoes could probably look a bit healthier too!!

Thanks for the replies so far.

Hi BD

I had the same problem with my brocolli seedlings. I grew my seedlings in the spare room, and the brocolli were nearest the radiator! It looks like I've managed to salvage a few by increasing the level of the compost up the stem to the leaves, with the nifty use of some toilet roll tubes! But, some of them will definately be going into the compost bin as they are beyond saving.

This is my first time growing seedlings too, but I hope I'll learn by my mistakes!

Keep trying!

Janet

Hi BD, One of my cucumber seedlings keeled over & died the other day,I think the stem had rotted at the base. You have to be careful not to overwater cucumbers & courgettes when they are young seedlings as they easily get stem rot.If they still look healthy other than just being leggy I would hang on & see if they strengthen up.If not then just sow some more as they germinate & grow really fast.

__________________
Into every life a little rain must fall.