Tall and spindly stalks on my veg seedlings - help!

[dgunner]

Hi,

I've started growing my own veg and herbs from seed (tomatoes, herbs, cucumbers etc) and the stalks have grown very thinly and tall!

I started them off in a propagator and removed the lid when they got too tall.

Over the last week or so some of them have got so tall they've started to bend over under their own weight as the third and fourth leaves have started to show.

My plan is to put them in bigger pots and bury most of the stalks under soil. Is this a good idea or is there a better solution?

Thanks!

[RedThorn]

tomaotes will definately benefit from being sunk in deeper. Perhaps when possible get the plants outside during the day as they sound starved for light. Bring them back indoors at night

[tootles]

That is exctly what I would do. Cues and courgettes always need to be topped up a bit once they are through. I suspect your worst offenders are the toms though. My propogator didn't let in enough light and mine were dreadfully leggy. Pot them on and all should be fine.

[Snadger]

Sounds like a case of too much heat and not enough light.Your idea of burying the stems might work..........depends if they are too far gone or not!

[dgunner]

tomaotes will definately benefit from being sunk in deeper. Perhaps when possible get the plants outside during the day as they sound starved for light. Bring them back indoors at night

Ahhh - light! ok - that sounds like a good start - the problem with outside is the squirrels! Last year my new shoots lasted about 2 hours before being dug up.

Plan tomorrow is to go to PoundStretcher and pick up one of their £10 mini-greenhouses that hopefully can go outside and keep the plants safe!

Thanks for the tip!

I'll also get a fresh set of seeds on the go just in case the first lot don't make it!

[FionaH]

It was suggested to me to take mine out of a heated propogator as soon as they have germinated to stop them getting too leggy