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Seedlings fallen over

garymillaremailgarymillaremail Posts: 24
in Fruit & veg
I thought my seedlings were doing well in the lights on only propagator (heat off). I watered them this morning and many fell over. Am I doing something wrong? No greenhouse.
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Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    They're quite etiolated. It's a common problem when they're forced a bit with lights or heat, rather than being left to grow at a slower pace.
    They look like they need pricked out now and moved on into their own pots too.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    Too many together and stretching for light.  Pick out the most robust and pot separately if possible.  Alternatively, pull out the weaker ones and give them some all round light.
  • garymillaremailgarymillaremail Posts: 24
    Fairygirl said:
    They're quite etiolated. It's a common problem when they're forced a bit with lights or heat, rather than being left to grow at a slower pace.
    They look like they need pricked out now and moved on into their own pots too.  :)
    I thought there were a bit leggy. Is it worth pricking them out if they are so leggy (I assume that's what etiolated means)?
  • garymillaremailgarymillaremail Posts: 24
    philippasmith2 said:
    Too many together and stretching for light.  Pick out the most robust and pot separately if possible.  Alternatively, pull out the weaker ones and give them some all round light.
    Would a windowsill be sufficient? I had got the impression that the Geopod lighting set up was good for seedlings. I am not so sure now.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Yes - lacking natural light and stretching.  :)
    If you keep them on a window ledge, just make sure to turn them every day. They should toughen up a bit. You could even put them on a less warm sill if the spot they're in is south facing. 
    What are they?
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • garymillaremailgarymillaremail Posts: 24
    Fairygirl said:
    Yes - lacking natural light and stretching.  :)
    If you keep them on a window ledge, just make sure to turn them every day. They should toughen up a bit. You could even put them on a less warm sill if the spot they're in is south facing. 
    What are they?
    Carrot
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Carrots are best sown direct as they don't like being disturbed. The timing for sowing is dependent on the variety, so they may have been sown far too early too. 

    It would be worth sowing some more outdoors once conditions are favourable. Then thin out if crowded, to give them room to grow on.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    I'm not familiar with Geopod lighting but your little plants require light from all directions in order to grow properly.  If light is only from 1 or 2 directions, you need to rotate your seedlings in order to get them to grow straight up.  Not exactly a particularly scientific explanation but I'm sure you get the gist.
    Again I'd suggest that you prick out the most robust and grow them on separately following the "light" rules - that way you stand a good chance of getting half a dozen plants to grow on.
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    I have the same problem with some wild flower seeds. Does it matter if you repot them on and bury the long stems do you know?
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • herbaceousherbaceous Posts: 2,318
    As Fairygirl says carrots don't always survive re-potting, the bit you eat is the tap root so if that gets damaged at all - no carrot.

    They will grow very happily in a trough if you want them early or don't want them in the ground. depending on the variety make sure there is enough depth and good drainage. Water well but not too often as the idea is to make the root go down searching for water.  Plenty of time to sow another lot,  they need warmth rather than light and time  :)
    "The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it."  Sir Terry Pratchett
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