have I done something wrong?

[sheffchef]

This is my first year trying to grow veg from seed, I have planted cabbage, beetroot etc in cells and put them in my unheated back bedroom. All have sprouted well but heres my problem they have sprouted too well I think. Every stem is about 3-4 inches long with a set of 2 leaves at the top, I suspect I have 'forced' the seeds but what to do about it, can someone advise please?

[SarzWix]

The thing that makes them do that is lack of light, so if you can move to the seedlings to a lighter place/windowsill, that will help, especially if you can rig up some kind of reflector behind them (tin foil wrapped round a piece of cardboard?). Don't keep them too warm either - cabbage seedlings will be happy as long as it's above freezing, they don't need any extra heat.

Also, when they get a little bit bigger, you can repot them (into bigger cells maybe) and bury all of the long gangly stem (up as far as the seed leaves). This will help them to thicken up.

[sheffchef]

Thanks for your quick reply I now have a job for my day off tomorrow.

[HeyWayne]

sheff - you have what people refer to as "leggy" seedlings - as Sarz described it's due to lack of light.

Having leggy plants/seedlings is easy to do at this time of year as our impatience for the arrival of Spring starts to get the better of us.

Hope they 'get better'.

[piskieinboots]

and (very) gently rubbing your hand across the top leaves also helps the stems toughen up - but you do need to be careful, make out you are a very gentle breeze blowing the seedlings.

honest

[Nicos]

If they are leaning towards the light, turn the tray round to encourage them to straighten up
A lot of seedlings can be lost because of this- the stem gets delicate from the elongated growth, and they easily rot if slightly overwatered.
I'm so rubbish at growing most things from seeds that I've almost given up and buy most of my 'early' plants as small plants!
However- there really is something spesh about checking up several times a day at the progress of the germination isn't there??
As Sarz says- plant deeper when potting on!

Good luck!!

[Nicos]

and (very) gently rubbing your hand across the top leaves also helps the stems toughen up - but you do need to be careful, make out you are a very gentle breeze blowing the seedlings.

honest

Not heard of that one- is blowing across them a bit safer maybe????

[HeyWayne]

and (very) gently rubbing your hand across the top leaves also helps the stems toughen up - but you do need to be careful, make out you are a very gentle breeze blowing the seedlings.

honest

Seedling stroker!

[piskieinboots]

Not heard of that one- is blowing across them a bit safer maybe????

I promise it's truuuue - and gentle stroking is better than blowing cos imagine if you've just been out for a beer!

Seedling stroker!

It's legal, at the moment

[HeyWayne]

It's legal, at the moment

Only in certain counties - I think you'd better check before you emigrate.

[piskieinboots]

...I think you'd better check before you emigrate.

oh heck, do I have to sit a Skills Assessment and IELTS test before I'm allowed into Beds?

I'm trying hard to remember where I first heard this, I can remember it was a TV gardener a long while back - so either St Geoff or Alan T I'd say.

[sarraceniac]

I promise it's truuuue - and gentle stroking is better than blowing cos imagine if you've just been out for a beer!


It's legal, at the moment

Wait till after the election.

[piskieinboots]

Wait till after the election.

Aye, it may be taxed higher than the broadband tax

[Nicos]

...the broadband tax

...aye- they're getting quite up to date in Beds-they're having to employ a few more of these guys to get the speed up!( hence the increase in charge!)

[HeyWayne]

Don't jest.