Newbie growing spring onions Peppers and other things. Need help with Onions

[ItsEssexRob]

Hi there, new here :-).

I decided to try my hand at growing my own veg this year and bought plenty of seeds pots trays compost etc.

Due to needing to clear the garden out I have been growing everything in my bathroom and bedroom windowsill so far, and dont seem to have any trouble germinating them. I will list my veg and any problems or worries I have regarding them.

Spring Onions:

I planted some spring onions about 3 weeks ago and they have come up fine at first, but now they have reached about 4-5 inches in length they keep falling over and laying almost on the soil I prop them back up a bit and randomly they perk up by all of them lean to some degree.

Is this harmful to the plant or just the way they grow?

Sweet Peppers:

Planted these about a month or so ago and they have started forming 'true' leaves. Is this a normal growth time for one month or should they be more advanced by now? When will they need feeding?

Basil:

Most of my basil plants died off early and I am now only left with 2 from about 20 but after about 5 weeks one has formed 2 tiny true leaves, but hasnt really grown much in the past 3 weeks, its still pretty much a seedling. Is This normal?

I am also growing rocket, Lettuce, cauliflowers coriander radishes and chives. But havent come across a problem with them yet.

Thanks

Rob

[mcuk]

Um... basil needs lots of heat and sun, keep them away from the cold. Sweet peppers are slow, but they speed up after a couple of months - they grow tall, so make sure the final pot is big enough. Not sure about the other issues. Good luck... it's a fun and rewarding hobby - I started a few years ago and am now growing more obscure stuff.

[Creemteez]

It sounds as if your spring onions may need to be buried a TINY bit deeper. Did you sow them in the ground or pots/modules?
I'd try transplanting small groups (five or six seedlings) into the ground and planting them just a fraction deeper so that the leaves are supported a bit by the soil.
When I sow spring onions I always sow a pinch of seed into modules and they stay in their "bunches" till I pull them. That way you don't disturb the others in the row.
Try again with your Basil - you can sow it through out the year.

[singleseeder]

Hi Rob, welcome to the Vine.

I can't add much advice. Only that perhaps you should move the peppers into the room at night. It can get pretty cold next to the window.

[Florence Fennel]

Can't really add any more advice to what's been said already Rob, but welcome to the Vine!

[Two_Sheds]

I don't think your windowsills are light enough, so your onions in particular have grown soft and limp (mine are outside and are the same height as yours but thick and strong)

You don't need to feed your peppers until they start to flower and fruit

[kathyd]

Hi Rob

I planted basil too, way too early, in the polytunnel. Well, sometimes you just have to do what you have to do, don't you . Only one of mine's died so far (out of 6), but the others haven't moved for weeks - still about 1cm tall. Hang in there and see what happens, and plant more just in case .

My peppers and tomatoes are also pathetically small still - only an inch or so high in most cases - I think they stopped growing when the weather took a turn for the worse - but since they're still alive (touch wood), I'm assuming they'll take of again with a bit of sunshine.... they're in the tunnel, but I cover them with a double layer of fleece every night. I do hope they recover, because it's a bit late now to be planting more peppers .

Good luck with your growing - I think mine will turn into a lifetime of obsessiveness!

[Two_Sheds]

I haven't even sown any basil yet: it's too dark and too cold

[ItsEssexRob]

Thanks guys. I do tend to move the peppers around a bit depending on where the sun is.

My onions are standing up again now, seems to vary depending on the day, it may be on brighter days that they are leaning towards the light. I have however put a bit more soil around them so they are a little deeper.

They are in green trays about 14 inches long and about 2-3 inches deep.

Forgot to add I have some little tomato seedlings too.

My lettuce and Cauliflower ( which I know Ill have to sort the garden out this month for) seedlings have all come up, but the lettuce ones are very tightly packed. Take it I shouldnt move them yet though, theyre tiny!

My little Basil has gotten a bit bigger overnight seems like thats the only one thats going to make it.

[Two_Sheds]

My lettuce ... are very tightly packed. Take it I shouldnt move them yet though, theyre tiny

Sow more thinly next time
As for splitting them, I would divide them into clumps that you can safely handle: maybe divide your clump into four now, pot them up. When they grow bigger, divide them again.

[Pa Snips]

Spring onions don't seem to like it too warm in my limited experience, nor do they like getting dry. I've had a few going floppy and most recovered over night after a good watering, perhaps they would be happier outside.

Peppers seem to be strange, random beasts that don't recognise their own genetic encoding. I have three, all sown in the same way, on the same day and they look like baby pepper, mummy pepper and daddy pepper. If I only had the baby I would have said that yours is the correct size for a one month old pepper, but if I only had the daddy I would think that yours is stunted.
I do actually have two more in the greenhouse but they have stayed at half an inch tall with only seed leaves for over four weeks, it just isn't warm enough in there yet.

[Steeli]

Spring onions don't seem to like it too warm in my limited experience, nor do they like getting dry. I've had a few going floppy and most recovered over night after a good watering, perhaps they would be happier outside.

Peppers seem to be strange, random beasts that don't recognise their own genetic encoding. I have three, all sown in the same way, on the same day and they look like baby pepper, mummy pepper and daddy pepper. If I only had the baby I would have said that yours is the correct size for a one month old pepper, but if I only had the daddy I would think that yours is stunted.
I do actually have two more in the greenhouse but they have stayed at half an inch tall with only seed leaves for over four weeks, it just isn't warm enough in there yet.

My peppers are the same. I have tall ones showing buds and a small one that's been 1.5 to 2 inches tall for weeks. They're in the same pots, same compost, same windowsill and get watered the same!