Stunted chilli seedling growth

[londongarden16]

Hello all,

I have a question about my chilli seedlings. I started the majority of them off in soil blocks this year, which were admittedly too big in hindsight (4x4cm), and put an extra one in a spare module which was much smaller.

This module started chilli has absolutely dominated the others in terms of size, and the others seem to have started a stub of a first true leaf and now stopped. They're also a much paler colour. They were sown on the same day, and have exactly the same temp and grow light conditions.

The soil block ones actually started their true leaves first originally, so we took a bit of soil off the bottom of the blocks to put around the stem (we thought essentially like repotting them), but didn't really come across roots. Wondering if perhaps they're in a bit of root shock though, as the module one has been left alone.

Or is it simply that the smaller ones will take some time to catch up as they're working on their root system instead? I sowed them in the third week of Jan, so they're about a month in now. Wondering whether to just re-sow in small modules instead!

I have a photo, but not sure how to attach.

Any help greatly appreciated

[veggiechicken]

What soil is in the soil blocks?

[bramble]

Where have you got them.
Are they in a heated propagator.
What variety are they.
Remember, chillis are extremely slow growing and it's still only February.
Are they getting any light at all.?

[toomanytommytoes]

Is there any difference between the soil mix in the blocks and module?

[Jungle Jane]

I’d sow more but put the soil block ones on the windowsill & keep an eye on them see if they recover. Some plants do sulk when you disturb them. When you took the soil off the bottom of the block maybe a thin tap root was broken? Hopefully they’ll carry on growing but I would sow more,it’s better to have too many than not enough or watch them for two weeks if they don’t do anything sow more then?

[Scarlet]

I think watering is an issue with seed blocks, jiffy, coir pots etc. They don't absorb water that well ( my opinion) and dry out too fast.

This is a fabulous example of the reason I stick to plastic pots and compost. I've tested lots of times and the plastic potted plants always grow much quicker.

Personally I would start again or see if you can dig out your seedlings and pot on ito some plastic pots.

# I am reasonably green - I reuse plastic pots over and over again. Take them out of skips and get them out of the gardencentre recycle area. there isn't any need to buy any...and they last for years.

[Small pumpkin]

What Scarlet said.

Welcome to the vine

[Can the Man]

Welcome to the vine LG, you won’t be able to post any photos until you have more than 10 or 12 posts made, you’ve already made 3 so a few individual answers to the different questions above will get you nearer to that magic number. I haven’t started any of my chillies yet, it’s been tocold and to dark

[Babru]

I would agree with Scarlet about coir pots, a struggle to keep them from drying out.

I only want a couple of chillies, and have sown mine already. One started to pop up about a week ago (in the heated propagator) and hasn't moved since. Still sort of bent over, emerging from its seed. Strange! So, londongarden, maybe chillies are just weird.

[londongarden16]

Thanks all for your replies.

The soil mix in both is the same - just standard seed compost with a bit of perlite mixed through. I am however finding they dry out much faster (which I suppose is to be expected!)

They're all under the same light conditions with grow lights. They were on a heat mat while germinating, but have taken them off that now. They're in the kitchen, which never really gets below 20degC.

I think I will sow some more then - I have some old module trays in the garden I can wash out. Like you say, maybe I'll move these ones to the windowsill just in case they do anything!

[Scarlet]

I would keep them as you won't lose anything. It's good to compare to your module sown one too. Give them a good soak!

[londongarden16]

Thanks Scarlet, will do

[ameno]

Thanks all for your replies.

The soil mix in both is the same - just standard seed compost with a bit of perlite mixed through. I am however finding they dry out much faster (which I suppose is to be expected!)

They're all under the same light conditions with grow lights. They were on a heat mat while germinating, but have taken them off that now. They're in the kitchen, which never really gets below 20degC.

I think I will sow some more then - I have some old module trays in the garden I can wash out. Like you say, maybe I'll move these ones to the windowsill just in case they do anything!

Personally, I'd recommend keeping them on heat until the first true leaves open.
Even if the air temperature is 20c, the soil temperature will be less, as evaporating water chills the soil. And while they are still newly germinated they still need warm soil to grow well.

[londongarden16]

Thanks Ameno, I might pop them back on a heat mat, and make sure the new ones stay on for longer