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Delaware, Ohio

My two seeds that germed, are very very leggy. Tall and falling over in the pot. I repotted them today,in deeper pots, but they still are droopy. I can not and will not put them in the ground for at least 10 days....What do I do? They both have small first true leafs but they are long and leggy....is this a problem and what do I do? Repot them in even deeper pots? The stem is at least 4 inches long in the new pots. HELP!! I'll post some pics on Thursday.
~CityGirl

5/7/2008 12:40:04 AM

Nikiski, Alaska 99635

Plants would be better off if they could be transplanted outside with a small hoophouse over them. Even if you can just prep 4 sq ft for each plant at this time that will buy you another 10 days. It's definitely warm enough in Ohio this time of year. Getting some natural sunlight should settle the leggy issue. Plants should not be exposed to direct sunlight until they have been hardened off somewhat and even then for the first few days limited amounts of direct sunlight. Make sure hoophouse does not get to warm during the day, if in doubt leave hoophouse somewhat open to allow for moderate temps. Cover well at night and if frost is in the forecast, place a gallon jug of hot water inside the hoophouse about 8 to 10 inches from the plant. You Go City Girl! Nothing is stopping your season. Good Luck!

5/7/2008 2:33:11 AM

Ohio

City girl, when you replant leggy plants or transfer them to your garden, bury the stem all the way up to the cots.

5/7/2008 5:01:10 AM

Delaware, Ohio

Thank You. I will take both of your advise.
~CityGirl

5/7/2008 6:47:31 AM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

Dig you hole at an angle and cover...not a problem

5/7/2008 1:39:40 PM

[email protected]

CG,

They aren't getting enough light. By all means repot them, but then get them into direct natural sunlight.

5/7/2008 2:40:42 PM

Frankfort Oh

Dido ,Chris ,they need sun ,,start putting them out side ,,,if you dont want to plant them for ten days thats ok ,but go ahead and build a hut ,just to stick them inside of ,,good luck ,and dont beat me this year ,,ha ,ha,Rob

5/7/2008 5:33:12 PM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

Chris,

They need to be planted soon in a wind-proof structure which can be opened during these unseasonably warm spring days. As Brooks said, bury them to the cots. This will prevent longitudinal stem splits.

5/7/2008 7:33:21 PM

Sort of Sunny Sometimes, WA

I recently learned that the reason plants get leggy is due to heat and light. If they are in a warm environment without light they will reach for the light becoming leggy. If you are going to keep your plants toasty at night then you are best off leaving your grow lights on all night.

5/7/2008 7:40:47 PM

Ohio

If you cant find any bottom heat,sit the pots on something warm, like the top of a cable box/dish receiver or like the top of the refrigerator. Or sit them inside your oven with just the oven light on them, surprisingly in my oven it stays right at about 83-85 degrees with just the light on and door shut. Make sure you put a note on the top of your oven that you have plants inside so you dont accidentally turn the oven on and have pumpkin plant casserole.

5/8/2008 8:28:23 AM

Ohio

oops! I posted this on the wrong thread,, my bad,,,lol

5/8/2008 8:30:22 AM

Port Elgin, Ontario, Canada

Brooks..I think the oven thing is an AWESOME idea...I'm gonna try it out. Have been holding off because I cannot find a suitable set up to get my seedlings under lights but you have just come up with my answer. Thank you very much for sharing this idea.

5/8/2008 9:04:00 AM

Delaware, Ohio

Thank you everyone. Dealing with 30 straight hours of rain here. Patch is soup right now. I'll figure some thing out!! Thanks for the help!!
~CG

5/9/2008 6:47:19 AM