Leggy Peppers need rescuing?

[moggssue]

Hi folks - my tiny pepper seedlings are going too leggy I think. They only have their two seed leaves but the stems are reaching for the skies (and my Gardeners Delight tomatos are the same). They're in a seed tray in my spare bedroom so warmish but I didn't think too hot. I'm in two minds whether to repot them up to the seed leaves now, or try to leave them a while to grow their first 'real' leaves first?? Anybody got any suggestions??

[momol]

I would let them grow it's true leaves first and meanwhile move them to somewhere sunnier but cooler. The cooler temp will help them grow stockier but at the same time slow them down a bit. Once they have a pair of true leaves, pot them up and grow them deeper just a bit under their cotyledon.
Good luck with your babies .

[Flummery]

It's light they are reaching for Sue, not particularly warmth, although they won't appreciate a frosty night! Try putting them outside in the day as long as the weather is forecast to be warm. They will really appreciate the extra light. Bring them in at dusk, or earlier if it goes chilly and damp.

[moggssue]

Thanks both! I shall move them outdoors to a sheltered spot for the day tomorrow (can't do it now cos I'm at work and they're at home!).

[rogesse]

I had the problem last year with peppers and tried repotting a little deeper....and they died! Tomatoes on the other hand seem to benefit from this treatment if too leggy and will develope roots from the buried stem.

This year I've made light boxes for the seedlings on the window sills - a cardboard box cut away on one long side then lined with tinfoil. The theory is that the light is evenly reflected and the plants placed inside don't go all phototrophic on you - It semms to be working!

[moggssue]

Well, I didnt dare put them outside today, it's been peeing down allll day long and Im not there to bring them back indoors. I was thinking of maybe investing in one of those plastic mini greenhouse thingys so I can put them outside but with a bit of shelter (bearing in mind the problems I've read about on here from other peeps). Do you think this would have the same effect? If not, I'll have a go at setting up some sort of light box affair ...

[Flummery]

My toms and peppers are out in the rain (and a bit of wind) today. Admittedly they are about 4 yeards from me so I could bring them in if I wanted - but they are plants after all, not glass. I think a bit of swaying in the wind also toughens the stems upThat's why they've started to recommend staking trees to half way up so they sway a bit and get stronger.

(that's my reason for being cruel, inspector)

[moggssue]

Hmm, know what you mean Flum, but these are only tiny seedlings without any true leaves as yet (but humungous stems!!) - I didnt want to scare them toooo much to start with

[Flummery]

oh, I see - baby-snatching!

[moggssue]

I prefer to think of it as gently rearing

[rustylady]

As soon as they germinate they need to be somewhere cool and light. The extra heat is only needed to germinate the seeds. Light is the most important factor. Even on a windowsill they will lean towards it and consequently the stems get too long.

[moggssue]

Thanks Rustylady - they're outside in the almost-sunshine today.

[Ses]

Oh, my parsnips and carrots went proper leggy, and my sweet peas were the same. I just buried the root veg a bit deeper when I planted out and staked the sweet peas... they seem to be responding well, but I guess we'll see!