This tricks the plant into thinking that it is growing in a windy environment and releases chemicals in the plant to grow thicker stems to be better able to withstand the supposed windy environment. You can also force seedlings that are too tall to grow thicker by brushing your hands over them a few times a day or placing an oscillating fan to blow gently on them for a few hours every day. Many gardeners put their lights on adjustable chains or strings so that the lights can be moved upwards as the seedlings get taller. The lights should remain just a few inches (7-8 cm.) above the seedlings as long as you have them indoors, or your seedlings will get too tall. If you are growing your seedlings under lights (either a grow light or a fluorescent ligh t), the best way to prevent leggy seedlings is to make sure that the lights are close enough to the seedlings. If a south-facing window isn’t available, you may want to consider supplementing the light the seedlings are getting from the window with a small fluorescent bulb placed within a few inches of the seedlings. This will give you the best light from the sun. If you are growing seedlings in a window, try to grow them in a south-facing window.
#Leggy watermelon seedlings how to#
How to Prevent Leggy SeedlingsĪs discussed earlier, the best way to prevent leggy seedlings is to make sure the seedlings are getting enough light. Third, seedlings that are falling over can be more prone to disease and pests. Second, floppy seedlings have a hard time growing up to be strong plants. Because they are thin and floppy, they can’t stand up as well to natural occurrences like wind and hard rain. First, seedlings that are too tall will have problems when they are moved outdoors. Leggy seedlings are a problem for many reasons. As a result, you get long, floppy seedlings. What it gains in height, it sacrifices in the width of the stem.
Unfortunately, there is only a limited amount of growth a plant can do. The plant grows towards the light and, since the light is too far away, the plant tries to accelerate its height to get close enough to the light to survive. Leggy seedlings happen for the same reason crooked houseplants happen. This happens due to the natural reaction of plants to light. Either way, the seedlings will get leggy. It could be that the window you are growing your seedlings in does not provide enough light or it could be that the lights you are using as grow lights aren’t close enough to the seedling.
What Causes Leggy Seedlings?Īt the most basic level, leggy seedlings are caused by a lack of light. If you are wondering what causes leggy seedlings, and more importantly, how to prevent leggy seedlings, keep reading. We watch with excitement as the seedlings grow taller, only to realize that they have grown too tall and are now a bit floppy. It seems almost magical to place a tiny seed into some soil and watch a small seedling emerge just a short time later, but sometimes things can go wrong. Seed starting is an exciting time for many gardeners.
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