Why seedlings are stretched and what to do about it
Miscellaneous / / April 09, 2023
Even thin and weak shoots can be saved.
Why seedlings are stretched
This is mainly due to improper care.
1. lack of light
Most often, the sprouts stretch out precisely in search of light: the stem becomes thin, long and fragile. Especially if crops are sown early - in January-March, when the daylight hours are not yet long enough. To make the seedlings strong, it must be illuminated for 14–16 hours from the moment of germination until a pair of true leaves appear, and after that for 10–12 hours a day. You can do this with phytolamp or conventional fluorescent with a power of at least 36 W per 1 m².
If you do not have the opportunity to provide seedlings with artificial lighting, do not start early sowing. It is optimal to postpone the procedure at least at the beginning of March. With the advent of spring, you can keep the sprouts on a bright windowsill.
2. Heat
A temperature in the range of 23-25 degrees is needed for the germination of most seeds. However, after germination, some gardeners make the mistake of continuing to keep the seedlings in a room that is too warm. In such seemingly pleasant conditions, young plants begin to stretch and become frail.
After the appearance of sprouts, you need to remove shelter from seedling containers and lower the temperature to 18–20 degrees for about a week so that the seedlings begin to develop the root system faster and do not start overgrowth. Then you can increase it again to 20-22 degrees. Another trick for getting strong seedlings is imitation of natural conditions. Try to lower the night air temperature by 4-6 degrees compared to daytime indicators.
3. Too frequent watering
Waterlogging the soil can be just as detrimental to plants as drying it out. Do not water the seedlings too often, abundantly and turn the soil into a swamp. Keep the soil slightly moist and add water only when the surface of the soil in the seed container is dry.
4. dense crops
Sprouts that are too close begin to compete and crowd each other out in search of light and nourishment. This often happens when sowing seeds in common containers.
What to do if the seedlings stretched out
Do not rush to despair, in most cases the situation can be corrected. First, analyze why the sprouts have become thin and long. Provide seedlings with enough light, adjust watering and room temperature. This alone may be enough to solve the problem.
But there are several more ways to save the stretched seedlings.
Thin out the crops
If the sprouts are crowded in the general container and they begin to stretch, you need to give them more space. Choose weaker seedlings and carefully pull them out so that the remaining ones are 1.5–2 cm apart. Plants will become freer, and they will get stronger.
Peak the crops
Do not keep seedlings in a large bowl for too long. Over time, the sprouts will have little space and nutrition from the ground. In addition, adult seedlings have a more voluminous root system, which is easy to injure when picking. It can be carried out when the plants release a couple of true leaves.
Seed the crops one at a time in separate cups. In this case, you can deepen the stem into the ground to the cotyledon leaves.
Follow instructions🌱
- When and how to dive seedlings of peppers, tomatoes, eggplant and cabbage
Add soil
If there is enough free space in the container with seedlings, add soil or vermiculite so that its surface is at the level of the cotyledon leaves of the plants. Seedlings will begin to develop the root system and become stronger.
Use growth regulators
Special preparations can be found in stores and garden centers. Make the solution according to the package directions, then spray the plants or water under the root, following the manufacturer's recommendations. Such funds help the seedlings to slow down the excessive growth of the aerial part and concentrate on building up the root system. As a result, the plants are strong. By the way, such preparations can be used if vegetables and flowers have already begun to outgrow at home, and it is still too cold outside for them. transplants into the ground.
Pinch flower seedlings
Pinching will help save many stretched flowers - removing the crown of the plant. For example, this can be done with petunias, lobelia, viola, alyssum and eustoma. Carefully separate the top rosette of leaves with your nails or cut with nail scissors.
As a result, the plant will begin to actively produce side shoots and will turn out to be more squat and lush.
This procedure can also be carried out as a preventive measure before the seedlings become thin and weak.
Transplant seedlings into deep holes
It happens that already adult seedlings are stretched. For example, this often happens with tomatoes And eggplant. In this case, wait for the right weather and move the plants to greenhouse or open ground.
Make the planting hole deeper and place the plant at a 45 degree angle. And then cover with soil so that its surface reaches the lower true leaves.
After a while, the seedling will take a vertical position, begin to build up the root system, and the stem will become thicker.
Read also🧐
- How and with what to feed tomato seedlings, then to reap a good harvest
- How and what to feed pepper seedlings
- When to sow marigolds for seedlings and how to do it right
- When to plant white cabbage for seedlings and how to do it right
- 15 products for the new summer season