When should my Chilli seedlings be moved under light? (pics inc)

[greenman001]

Hi people,

Hope everyone is well

Sooo....my seedlings.

1) The seedlings (two of them) seem to be "stuck". Is it me being hasty or should I help free them a little?

2) The optimum temp for germination (Naga Morich) is 27 degrees but tolerance of between 25 to 30. That's what I have been keeping my seeds at in my (heated) propagator. The vents were closed to keep relative humidity high. Should I start opening the vents now? When should I remove the lid?

3) When Should I be putting them under light?

[jackarmy]

looking good, personally id just wait till the heads straighten then whack them under the lights.

just check them as often as possible cos they can shoot up really quick.

[Mitzi]

1) You're being too hasty. Leave them alone! They will eventually stand upright and at that stage you will be able to see whether they got their cotyledons out of the seed case or whether they are a "helmet head" and you can try to free them then, if you want.

2) I'd leave them with high humidity until they have got their seed leaves out - you want to keep the seed case as soft as possible to help them. Then I'd ventilate to avoid damping off (but don't let them get chilled either.)

3) I'd get some light on them straight away. It's true that if they get leggy at this stage, you can just bury them a bit deeper at next potting on, but it's better to avoid them getting leggy in the first place.

[greenman001]

1) You're being too hasty. Leave them alone! They will eventually stand upright and at that stage you will be able to see whether they got their cotyledons out of the seed case or whether they are a "helmet head" and you can try to free them then, if you want.

2) I'd leave them with high humidity until they have got their seed leaves out - you want to keep the seed case as soft as possible to help them. Then I'd ventilate to avoid damping off (but don't let them get chilled either.)

3) I'd get some light on them straight away. It's true that if they get leggy at this stage, you can just bury them a bit deeper at next potting on, but it's better to avoid them getting leggy in the first place.

Thanks. I think one is a "helmet head" can I trust nature to deal with it or should I intervene?

[Zelenina]

If the seed coat is stuck on and the seed leaves can't open, you do need to help, but you have to be very careful. First spray the seedling with water. You really want a drip of water clinging to the seed coat. Then leave it for a few minutes at least, or longer, to soften the seed coat. Maybe repeat that a couple of times.

Then you can try gently sliding the seed coat off so that the seed leaves can unfurl. If you pull a bit too hard you'll pull its whole head off and it won't be any use. It's tricky and often not successful.

Sometimes it comes off but part of the seed leaves break off with it or they get damaged. Those seedlings will probably grow OK but have a slower start than an undamaged seedling. They should be fine once they get their true leaves.

This is one reason why it's usually a good idea to sow more seeds than you think you need.

[greenman001]

Hi,

I tried what you said about leaving a drop of water and it worked! Thanks for that tip.

This is how they are looking now. If you notice "b" was the helmet head. Instead of two leaves it has three?

C is the other late bloomer.

[nickdub]

You've raised a lucky chilli - its probably got some Irish genes I expect.

[jackarmy]

You've raised a lucky chilli - its probably got some Irish genes I expect.

Nah, probably denim