Leggy Seedlings

[Jono]

Hi all,

I've got some seedlings which are getting close to being leggy. This is causing me much anxiety!

Can anyone tell me if this is because of too much light, or too little?

Thanks a lot,

Jono.

[zazen999]

Too little.

[binley100]

Wot she^^^ said

[Poddington Pea]

Really? Mine are on a Southfacing window ledge, do they get leegy if they need potting on?

[sharon 1]

Far too little light without question!

[smallblueplanet]

Bit early in the year for much natural daylight = leggy seedlings.

[Poddington Pea]

Do you feel it's essential to use a lamp?
Will leggy seedlings fail?

(sorry fo hijacking!)

[goddess]

i have the same problem every year although using south facing window.decided to wait a bit this year as they take so much of my energy in worrying.

[Poddington Pea]

i have the same problem every year although using south facing window.decided to wait a bit this year as they take so much of my energy in worrying.

Do they survive though? Is there anything that can be done to help them?

[Davyburns]

what kind of seedlings?

[taff]

you can re-pot up to the depth of the seed leaves if you want

[Two_Sheds]

Do you feel it's essential to use a lamp?

You can if you want to. Otherwise wait until the days are longer & the light is stronger.
Early indoor sowing is for people with perfect conditions

Is there anything that can be done to help them?

Yes, wait until normal sowing time (March onwards).
Leggy seedlings will be weak, floppy and prone to breaking. You can bury them up to their leaves to a certain extent, in the hope that by the time the clocks change they are getting enough natural light to beef up a bit

[Kristen]

You could put some tinfoil behind the seedlings to maximise the light they get from the window. I'll attach a picture of the Heath-Robinson one I use

The other problem you face is keeping them going until they can go out - several months yet, by which time they will be large plants

If you can rig up a fluorescent light that will help (ideally get a special bulb for plants), it needs to be just a few inches away from the seedlings - not too close that they burn, but if its a foot away (say) the "value" of the light will mostly be lost. I think 4" is the optimum distance.

[Flummery]

I sow very little indoors at this time of year - just chillies. The reason is that however sunny a day (and they are rare at the moment!) the day length will result in leggy seedlings. Also, don't forget that windowsills, even with double glazing, get cold at night. Bring them into the room.

You can choose to go down the route of providing lights but then you still have to decide what to do with them until they can go outside - depends on what they are of course. Or you can wait till the time designated on the seed packet!

[Davyburns]

As an experiment, I have put some toms that are starting to look a bit leggy into a blowaway inside my greenhouse with a 180 watt tubular heater in the bottom, hoping tho 360 degrees of light will help, even at this time of year.