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drooping sunflower seedlings

hiacedrifterhiacedrifter Posts: 119
in Plants
I've got some 2 week old sunflower seedlings, and once they get to about 6 inches they droop. Is there a problem? Do they need support? Thanks.

Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    At 6" high I'd think they need potting on or planting out so they can get all the nutrients and moisture they need.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • hiacedrifterhiacedrifter Posts: 119
    They're only 10 days old, and in biggish pots. I think they actually got too warm (they were in our conservatory). It was unexpectedly warm for a few days, and I had wrongly assumed sunflowers could cope.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It's quite common for any young plants to get fried if they're in a sunny room, or windowsill, even if the sun isn't particularly strong. It's why ventilation is important too.
    If you don't have blinds in your conservatory, try moving them to a cooler window somewhere, and keep turning them so that they get good light, until they're big enough, and sturdy enough, to start going outside. You could probably do that anyway when the weather suits. It'll toughen them up and also slow them a little. 
    Excess heat also pushes seedlings on, sometimes too much, which means they don't have the root system to cope if it's suddenly much hotter. It's why you have to really keep an eye on them when sowing at this time of year indoors  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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