Seedlings having a tough time

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Permalink Reply by tenacity on July 3, 2008 at 12:58pm

I'm wretched with seed so don't listen to a thing I say:

However, I like to think I've learned from my mistakes.
1. They need a lot of light - pretty much from sunup to sundown, and I start them indoors, then put them out once they're stronger
2. as the stem develops, add more soil around it, 'following' the plant as it grows
3. roots follow water, so if there's too much water there's no reason for the roots to grow or strengthen, and also there is the ever-present threat of them just rotting like anyother green thing in soggy soil
4. the tops of your cups should be dryish - it shouldn't be possible to squeeze moisture out of the soil. I've done well by putting styrofoam cups filled with soil with punctured bottoms into a baking pan, with wet vermiculite in there, and a clear plastic lid on top, maybey a 2-liter bottle cut in half. The water absorbs through the bottom of the cups, the soil doesn't get soaked, the bottle holds moisture, the soil doesn't get moldy, light and air can get in, and everything's happy.

My problem is finding a good place for them - I simply haven't yet. I'm new in the house and have to set aside a place to cultivate seeds. I need to invest in a grow-light and then I think I'll be able to replicate the success I've had in the past.

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Permalink Reply by Chip Satterlund on July 3, 2008 at 1:38pm

My suggestion is they look like they are getting baked in the sun, so I am suggesting to germinate inside in dark, once sprouted, place a grow light (cool fluorescent) real close to them to prevent the legginess, like the others in your photo. After a few days of this, place outside in a sun lit spot, not in direct sun, for a few hours a day, for a few days. Then place in full sunlight for a few hours, for a few days. then they should be ready for the fall planting season. I think this is called hardening-off.

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Permalink Reply by Tom Hansen on July 3, 2008 at 2:55pm

Thanks for the suggestions. We only started putting them outside a couple days ago, when they pushed through the ground. I think the wilting actually started before we put them outside. I've looked at gro-lights at lowes (piecing together a shop light with a couple bulbs) but like Tenacity said, we have a small house and counter space is a premium around here, right now they're living on the floor close to a window so that's probably why they're so spindly. Might be worth the $40 for the light.

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Permalink Reply by tanya on July 3, 2008 at 4:22pm

look how long the stems are. it is called being leggy.
you are definately over watering, and they are stretching to get the light.
a full day of filtered sun would work best, or just a grow light.
check out one of my favorites, L-E-D-gardener.com sells them . they are light emitting diodes, that dont give off any heat, and use only 6 watts of power. a grow light from the grocery store works too.
your seedlings need 18 hours of sunlight, to grow vigorously. see summer time is almost 18 hours, and the seedling bio indicators realize something is not right, so they stretch out to any available light. and going from 90-110 degrees, then down to 80 is tortcher to the plant , and not natural. You are the Step-Mother nature. try to keep the plant the same as it was meant to be. just like humans, plants do not like change, and you are going extreme.

Mean while, i have invited some friends to help me with my garden this weekend, up in show low.
if you wish to escape the heat, email me for directions.
Have a super weekend!
T

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Permalink Reply by Andi on July 4, 2008 at 3:41pm

My only recommendation is to not put them outside at all until they have a few more leaves. It is so hot out right now, even in the mornings, that the sprouts are probably being cooked right in their cups. There really isn't any reason to be hardening them off until right before you plant them outside.

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Permalink Reply by Doreen Pollack on July 7, 2008 at 7:46am

Tom - This could be the problem called 'damping off'. It occurs when soil is kept too moist and a fungus grows. I recommend something other than the syrofoam cups. Styrofoam is a petroleum product and emits a gas. There are many options at the nursery including peat pots. I also came across a tool you could purchase that made the 'pots' out of newspaper. www.seedsofchange.com

Here are two weblinks where you can ready more detail about damping off. The second one lists many natural remedies people have tried.

http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/DG1167.html
http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/lab/msg0319064823810.html

I hope this helps you!

Doreen Pollack
Garden Goddess
Down2EarthGardens.com

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Permalink Reply by Heather Welch on July 7, 2008 at 4:23pm

Hi Tom~ This does look like some over watering but I am also curious what type of soil you are planting in. Tomatoes like fairly acidic soil types, you might try sprinkling some coffee grounds (thin layer) about an inch away from the stem. With our crazy summer heat, veggies need lots of nutrients to help them muscle through the summer. And filtered shade is best. :) Good luck, Heather

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Permalink Reply by Tom Hansen on July 7, 2008 at 5:33pm

hey Heather, actually my wife bought some potting soil to plant them in and I realized after the fact that we were supposed to buy potting mix for the better drainage. So that's probably mistake #1.

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