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Are my sweet pea seedlings done for?

BlueBirderBlueBirder Posts: 212
in Problem solving
Have been a bit worried about my sweet pea seedlings for a few days. I am just potting them on so have had a better look. 

My question is - is this some kind of rot or damping off? Should I sow more? 


Brown stem at the base 


Split stem at the base


Stem is soft to the touch


Some have seemingly healthy stems but the leaves are yellowing 

Any advice much appreciated.

Thank you! 

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    They look quite long and leggy, but hard to see. How , where are you growing them? Have they been potted on after they're at the two or three pairs of leaves stage? If they were started in autumn, it's always worth pinching them out to keep them bushy.

    Slugs are very partial, so that could be the problem with the stems.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • BlueBirderBlueBirder Posts: 212
    edited May 2022
    Thanks @Fairygirl

    I sowed them inside in March, in Root trainers. I'm only just potting them on, but I did pinch them out. I'm hardening them off at the moment.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    They're probably struggling due to lack of nutrients if they're just getting moved on now, and are that size. 
    I sow in mid to late March, 3 to a 3inch pot with good depth, and when they're a few inches in size, they go outdoors. That's usually around mid to late April, as they take a while to germinate and grow on here.
    It's better though, as they shouldn't germinate too quickly - it usually means they're getting too much heat if they're quicker than a couple of weeks.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • BlueBirderBlueBirder Posts: 212
    Interesting! So hopefully, if I pot them on, and leave them outside, they might brighten up? I can always sow some directly I guess in case they don't make it.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    They do look very big for the time they've been in growth. They don't need extra heat of any kind to germinate, but they do need plenty of light, which is another common reason for them getting leggy, and another reason why I don't sow any earlier than mid to late March    :)
    The biggest problem when putting them out anywhere is slugs. Mine have been left alone this year because we've had a very dry, warm couple of months [for here] and it's made it easier to get them outside without damage. They don't really get going properly into growth until mid May here, but it could be earlier where you are.

    Mine will mostly be grown in large pots, and I'll do that soon, once I've removed some bulbs etc from the pots I use. They're around four inches or so just now.
    It's certainly worth sowing some more just now if you have them - directly, or in individual pots for planting out later where you want them     :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    It would be well worth sowing another lot anyway, there is still time [ just ] to get the m to flower this year.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
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