Seedlings too leggy?

[B088Y89]

Hi all,

So my chilli and strawberry seedlings have been coming through after i planted them a few weeks back, I have been growing them in my windowsill as the greenhouse still seems too cold (there is a heater but I don't want to run it 24/7).

I have hit what may be a snag though, i think they may be too leggy? I am unsure if I have to cut my loses and start again or can I save them?

I don't have a grow light as this is my first year growing anything and running lights all day costs money (poor student ). Is it too soon to put them in the greenhouse? I was planning on doing that but with a heated propagator?

The middle pot in the image of three pots is one I moved from the larger tray and have buried some of the stem as people said they have had some success with this?

So can these plants be saved?

Cheers,

Bobby

[WendyC]

They are rather leggy and your compost looks very wet. You could try putting foil behind them to reflect the sunlight and turn them every day. Can you put them somewhere cooler? Definitely too cold for chillis in an unheated greenhouse, assuming UK based location. Strawberries are hardy plants but are too tender at the moment to survive the shock. I think you may find yourself starting again.

[B088Y89]

They are rather leggy and your compost looks very wet. You could try putting foil behind them to reflect the sunlight and turn them every day. Can you put them somewhere cooler? Definitely too cold for chillis in an unheated greenhouse, assuming UK based location. Strawberries are hardy plants but are too tender at the moment to survive the shock. I think you may find yourself starting again.

Hi,

Cheers I will try the tin foil idea, location I'm near Derby so not warm

Would a heated propagator in the greenhouse work well? I'm thinking it will supply the heat and they will get better light in the greenhouse?

Cheers,

Bobby

[Lisasbolt]

I am sorry to say but i would start again, you could always keep these going to see what happens and then can pot on deeper. Are you using a south facing window? Like wendy said it is good to use something reflective. You have plenty of time lots of people do not start till March. Whereabouts are you?

[B088Y89]

I am sorry to say but i would start again, you could always keep these going to see what happens and then can pot on deeper. Are you using a south facing window? Like wendy said it is good to use something reflective. You have plenty of time lots of people do not start till March. Whereabouts are you?

I was thinking that may be the case sadly, plenty more seeds left over at least I'm in Derby in the UK, I will sow another lot of them today and try them in the heated propagator in the greenhouse I think, worst case try again next month

[Bigmallly]

Have a look at the seed sowing threads, it will give you a clue as to what other are sowing.

[Scarlet]

Bobby, I sow all my chillies indoors. Start them off in a heated propagator, as soon as you see a speck of green take them out. You need them on a really bright windowsill, as Wendy said use a piece of foil or white paper to reflect light. It maybe that you are placing them near a radiator? The heat will encourage growth but there's not much daylight so you'll get leggy growth. You need a cooler room.
I don't think putting them outside in a propagator is the way to go. Mine stay indoors until April when they go in the GH at day and indoors at night.

[Scarlet]

Which ones are the chilli seedlings? You can repot them and plant them deep after they've another pair of leaves.

[B088Y89]

So, I have replanted them a bit deeper, minus a few that didn't survive the removal. I have put tin foil behind them all to help direct the sunlight, I am going to keep a few in the house (currently in the kitchen not near a radiator and about the only real south facing window I have) and try a few in the greenhouse in a heated propagator and just see how it goes.

Thanks for all the advice!