How big is leggy?

[OverWyreGrower]

How tall do your seedlings have to be before they are officially "leggy"?

I think my tomatoes might be, but I'm not sure!

The tallest is about 1.5 inches with just 1 set of leaves. Is this bad??

Thanks

OWG

[shirlthegirl43]

From my view (novice grower) I would say that they sound okay - however, if they reach 4 inches high with still seed leaves then I would reckon they were leggy! Just put them somewhere nice and bright and they should be okay since when you pot them on you can bury the long stem in the compost and it will put out roots.

I am sure the experts will be along shortly to help you further though

[Flummery]

Oh heck! How deep is the ocean? How high is the sky?

I don't think 1.5 inches is leggy. The seed leaves are always an inch or two up the little hairy stem (aaahh!) and soon you'll get the first true leaves. Give them lots of light and you'll be ok. As others have said elsewhere on the vine, toms root from the stem if they get the chance so when you transplant, put them up to the seed leaves in compost. It helps to anchor them too. A good well grown tomato will keep its seed leaves right through the transplanting stages. My father in law was told by his bro - a market gardener - that if you are buying toms in as plants don't buy one which has lost its seed leaves because it's suffered a check in growth.
Look forward to those salads!

[Alison]

Would have thought it depends on the sturdiness of the stem also, I only really think of them as leggy when they can't stand up properly for themselves so it's more of a height / diameter ratio thing maybe?

Your's don't sound too bad but would make sure you give them plenty of light or they may get leggy.

[JennieAtkinson]

The day before yesterday my aubergine seeds were just poking through the surface. By last night they were just two little leaves standing on a stem of about 2.5 inches! I'd say that was leggy, but all is not lost OWG. My mother always said to pot on immediately and bury them up to their necks, ie the leaves. So I'll be doing that tonight with the aubergines. It normally works.

[OverWyreGrower]

They are currently situated in the spare bedroom, in front of the window - so they get every hour of daylight there is!

I shall probably be potting-on over the weekend, as my peas need doing also.

Thanks guys!

[Snadger]

............... if you are buying toms in as plants don't buy one which has lost its seed leaves because it's suffered a check in growth.

I agree, and I always look for plants with there cotyledons intact!