New/ Advice on growing

[Nubber]

Hi, new to the forum, been reading a on here, and decided to join up. brand new to gardening so my knowledge is below basic, but I just want some advice, I sow my chilli seeds and tomato seeds into plastic cups, and they always seem to germinate, to the point where they get two leaves, and then just stop growing, and after a while seem to tip over. am I doing something wrong or does this happen a lot.


Also, im trying to edit my profile but it keeps saying I do not have permission, any reason why ?

[Martin H]

Hi Nubber, welcome!

Experts will be along soon, but did you punch drainage holes in the plastic cups? Seedling roots need air as well as water, a common reason for them keeling over is waterlogging. So maybe that's it.

You'll be able to edit your profile once you've made ten posts or so.

[Mr Bones]

Hello and welcome Nubber.
Like Martin said, sounds as though it could be too wet, or damping off. Have you tried using a different potting compost or maybe mix some sand into it before sowing.

[Guest]

Hi and welcome to the vine

[Cadalot]

Hi and welcome

I tend to start toms off in self watering propagators See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMj6PMIaEes or small module trays see photo below which is before the tray was topped up with soil and you can see the seeds, then I move them onto vending machine cup that I put holes in See Alans Allotment: Melting Holes

[piskieinboots]

Hi and welcome.

When you say 'tip over' - that could be what is called 'damping off', which means:
the death of young seedlings as a result of a fungal infection encouraged by damp conditions.

[jacks10]

Welcome to the forum.

I have no advice but just listen to others. I've learnt a lot from here.

[Bigmallly]

Hello Nubber & welcome to the Jungle.

[Bramble Slayer]

Hello! I'm new here as Well!,

[scarey55]

Hello, and welcome to the Vine

Martin is right, you'll be able to change your profile in a bit, just keep posting and try again later.

[Nubber]

cheers for the responses, I have holes in the bottom of the cups for drainage, I also have a good load of "vermiculite, perlite, and coir" in the cups to help with drainage, the plant usually puts out two leaves, stays small like that for a couple of months, then falls down on its side

[Kirk]

What time of years is this sowing taking place, just that if it is now then likely there is insufficent light getting to the seedling for it to produce the food required to develop.

You might then need some form of grow light to aid them. Even a window sil is to a plant fairly dark. Might also be a case that if on a window sill then they can tell the days are shortening and so winter is occuring, which cause them to abandon the idea of growing.

[Snadger]

cheers for the responses, I have holes in the bottom of the cups for drainage, I also have a good load of "vermiculite, perlite, and coir" in the cups to help with drainage, the plant usually puts out two leaves, stays small like that for a couple of months, then falls down on its side

Vermiculite,perlite and coir are all devoid of nutrients That could be your answer?

[the big lebowski]

hi, as snadger has said they have no feed in them they also aid drainage and do not hold water like soil ,how often are you watering them ?

[Nubber]

Ah I also have soil in there, i was just saying I use the coir, vermiculite and perlite for drainage, but I got canna soil in there. I water every other Wednesday. I have an indoor grow light which my other plants seem okay with, it's just chillis and tomatoes which seem to sprout. Put out two leaves, stay the same size for a few months, then tilt to the side before collapsing and dying