Seed grermination problems

[baco123]

Hi all,
Can anyone help me? When i sow seeds in trays and pop them into propagators the seedling greminate then grow on until they are 4inches tall with 2 small leaves on top of a very thin stem which eventually topples over. Any ideas what i am doing wrong?

Baco123

[sewer rat]

You need to remove them from the propogator after they have germinated, and possibly put them somewhere a bit cooler (not cold though).

[terrier]

Too warm, too wet, not enough light.
As soon as the seeds germinate, reduce the heat, if it's an electric prop switch it off. The compost should be no more than slightly damp for seedlings.
Give them as much light as possible(very difficult this time of year).

Sorry, cross posted

[Flummery]

I germinate my seeds in a small pot covered with a poly bag - no heat - on the window sill. As soon as the first seedling is through I remove the bag. I think you are forcing them. (Try persuasion! )

[The Nichols']

It sounds to me that if they're thin and leggy that they're not getting enough light. Where are you growing them? It may be too dark.

[SMS6]

I think a lot of us new germinators have this problem. I know I do and I've increased my vigilance over seeds. As soon as I see the first hint of green it's off with the lid. Then let them get a little above soil level and out of the heat they come and in to as much light as possible

One question though - say you sow 6 seeds together and 1 pops up - what about the other 5? Do you wait for them thus risking a leggy first one? Or just assume they'll follow through?

[Flummery]

I take off any cover as soon as the first pops through. They follow on fairly quickly and it's better than getting the early one leggy or allowing them to get mould.

[HeyWayne]

Leggy's good on a woman, rubbish on plants.

[SMS6]

trust me to get even that wrong way round then

[joolzabb]

heywayne, what about us shortie ladies? lol

[amandaandherveg]

I've got 6 propogators on my windowsill. I planted a selection of seeds about 2 1/2 weeks ago. Everything is coming through fine apart from the coriander, Cape Gooseberries and aubergines. Should I hold out any hope? Any tips? The Courgettes, toms, corn, chillis, etc are doing well.

[terrier]

I don't know about the other seed but I put in some cape goosberry seed and it took weeks to germinate but got there eventually so don't give up on it.

[Flummery]

Aubergines are reulctant too, I find. Give them a bit longer before you abandon hope!

[amandaandherveg]

The courgettes are going great guns, I see a lot of veggie curries over the summer. Parp!

[bramble]

When i use the propogator i just put 2 seeds in each small pot. That way, when one germinates i just take it from the propogatoe and leave the rest until they come through. It works for me.