Leggy or not leggy...

[tweety]

Hi,

I have planted some marigolds and nasturtriums aroung the 11/03 and I am wondering if they look fine or if they have gone leggy...
I saw them in an unheated propagator and took the lid off when most of the seedlings appeared. they stayed in my kitchen but I am not sure they had enough light.

I have started to leave them in the plastic greenhouse for about 1/2 day for the past 3 days and I am wondering if I could leave them out in the "greenhouse" all the time.

and last question, when should I move them from the cell trays ? somes of the nasturtriums have roots that are already getting out of the cell... what pot do I need to take as it might be too early to plant then in my raised bed of flower pots....

sorry for all the question but I am quite new to gardening and I want to learn...
thanks in advance to all who can give me advice.

[HeyWayne]

I'm no expert in either case I'm afraid, but they do look a bit leggy.

Can you move them to a sunny (south facing) windowsill? I think it's a bit early to leave them in the greenhouse full time - night time temperatures are still falling towards frost levels (and will be for some time yet I'd wager).

I'd leave them in the plus for the time being - at least until they are producing their first 'true' leaves. The ones they currently have are seedling leaves (another more knowledgeable grape will correct me I'm sure).

You want the seedlings to look 'sturdy'. As you've asked the question I think your instincts are probably right and they do need more light. You'll be surprised how instinctive this growing business can be.

Good luck!

[tweety]

Hi HeyWayne,

thanks for your reply.
unfortunately the only way for me to get a south facing window is to get the neighbourg evicted and build a lovely conservatory / greenhouse where her house is sitting ! ;-)

I only have east or west windows... any one more suitable than the other ?

can I just take the seedling trays in the greenhouse for the day and take them back to the kitchen for the night ? that way they should get more light and maybe not get too cold...

I knew I should have waited another week or two before sowing, but the temptation was too big to resist ! ;-)

[piskieinboots]

your marigolds and nastrutiums look ok for the moment, but keep them in check - however, I'd say the 'seedlings' (whatever they are!) are way leggy

[rustylady]

Put them in the greenhouse during the day, and bring them in for the night for the time being. They need a lot of light to stop them growing too tall and leggy. As long as the temperature is above around 6 degrees they should be find outside. Leave them in the cell trays until they are filled with roots. You get roots showing at the bottom long before they actually fill the cells or pots. Your cells look a reasonable size and should last them at least several weeks.

[Ruud]

when is the best time to sow marigolds so they dont get leggy?

[tweety]

Thanks Rustylady for the advice.
I'll pop them in the greenhouse for the day and give them a "cozy" kitchen for the night.

Ruud, very good questions... the seed packet said "sow indoor feb - april". I tought I waited long enough...

[Flummery]

At this time of year, I take everything to the cold greenhouse for the day - just so they get the maximum light. They come in at night so they don't take the chance of getting frosted.

[Two_Sheds]

when is the best time to sow marigolds so they dont get leggy?

same as with anything else: when you have enough light.

Some of us are lucky enough to have south-facing windowsills, on which we can start things off a bit earlier than those without.

I don't bother sowing hardy flowers indoors, only the more tender ones or those which need a bit of heat to get going.

Marigolds and nasturtiums can be sown outside in April, which would result in good sturdy plants: there's not much to gain by sowing them indoors in poor light.

[tweety]

Marigolds and nasturtiums can be sown outside in April, which would result in good sturdy plants: there's not much to gain by sowing them indoors in poor light.

Thanks Two Sheds, it did not say on the packet I could sow them directly outdoors...
I'll see how the seedlings go, but if needed I'll buy a new seed packet and restart all...


I also have courgette and tomato seedlings, they are sitting in my west facing window and I am affraid they won't get enough light. is it too early / too cold to put them in the plastic greenhouse for the day ?

[bramble]

Tweety, I put my tomato and chili plants in the cold greenhouse every day and take them in at night time. They are doing fine and are very healthy. They have three and some have four sets of true leaves.
I don't know anything about courgettes as I have never grown them.
Good luck with your plants.

[tweety]

Tweety, I put my tomato and chili plants in the cold greenhouse every day and take them in at night time. They are doing fine and are very healthy. They have three and some have four sets of true leaves.
I don't know anything about courgettes as I have never grown them.
Good luck with your plants.

Thanks for the reply...
so tomorrow is the day the greenhouse will be "filled" during the day !
it will be so nice to see live plants and not just empty pots, even if I have to look with binoculars to see something from the kitchen !

[evie451]

Tweety i have some nasturtiums that look like this at the moment! cant say about the marigolds I have never tried them, i use them as salad leaves and have made pesto with them last year so i like a lot of Nasturtiums! they end up being a big plant so a big seedling, i find they grow as quickly as some of the peas......

I stuck a few in a bit earlier this year to see what happens but i do love them and i found that i potted them on once into the greenhouse then outside with them....they spread all over the place and tbh i dont think the leggy issue is such a problem with them as with other things.....

[Nykied]

I'm thinking that my cucumber seedlings are also a bit leggy. They're about an inch and a half tall and have just started growing their first real leaves. I also only have east- and west-facing windows.

[tweety]

Tweety i have some nasturtiums that look like this at the moment! cant say about the marigolds I have never tried them, i use them as salad leaves and have made pesto with them last year so i like a lot of Nasturtiums! they end up being a big plant so a big seedling, i find they grow as quickly as some of the peas......

I stuck a few in a bit earlier this year to see what happens but i do love them and i found that i potted them on once into the greenhouse then outside with them....they spread all over the place and tbh i dont think the leggy issue is such a problem with them as with other things.....

I think they are doing better now that they have spent a few days outside in the plastic greenhouse...
leaves have developped and I think I'll put them in bigger pots at the week end... I'd be tempted to leave them outside day and night but with the snow forecast I'm not sure...