Bolting seeds

[DAVEM]

Every year when I sow seeds indoors in covered trays at first in a propagator and then after initiol germination transferring to a well lit windowcil they bolt becoming long and stragly and difficult to rescue. Any solutions?

[Paulottie]

Less warmth and more light.

[Sue]

Davem
The only other thing I can suggest is before they get too long and straggly is to pot them on and bury the seedling to the depth of the first seed leaves. If you're very careful it does seem to work and once the first proper leaves develop then it seems to be less of a problem.

Keep twiddling the pots round every day and if light is a real problem then try putting them in a cardboard box with the front and sides cut right down and the back covered in tinfoil (shiny side outwards!) to give some more reflected light.

hope this helps
Sue

[Cutecumber]

I wouldn't bury the stems of very young seedlings - they can easily rot off. Once the stems are hardened some plants tolerate being lowered. More of an issue is how to keep the seedling upright as the leaves are growing.

Paul's advice is simple and sound - less warmth more light. That's your solution.

[Nicos]

???Start sowing seeds later in the month when the light levels are higher??? ( you'll be able to get them outdoors sooner too!)

Either that-or treat yourself to a heated greenhouse!!

[Two_Sheds]

BTW: your seeds aren't bolting. Bolting is when a plant goes to seed, throwing up a big flower shoot, rendering the plant (usually) inedible.

What your seeds are doing is getting leggy, ie. not enough light.

[pigletwillie]

Just dont use a propogator, there really is no need. Even things like my melons, goji berry seeds and peppers all germinate quite well in the kitchen on the worktop.

The extra heat just draws them into staggly plants. You want short stout plants that will romp away when the outside conditions are right.

[Sue]

Cutecumber
I've not had any problems burying the seedlings to first leaves, all romping away.
and shock horrors don't use tapwater on them either when they get up to the allotment, good old waterbutt water is what they get.
Sue