Lanky Seedlings

Post date: Mar 31, 2020 2:09:47 PM

Seedling care is both art and science. The little brats have different demands at different points of time. Prepare for six weeks of looking after them every day. But the trouble is worth it as plants you will grow from seeds are stronger than store bought ones that are primed to look pretty.

The most common problem is the case of the lanky seedling. You sow the seeds and you wait. Then on that one day you failed to check on them, they pop up and you have a long 3-4 inch stem and a tiny pair of leaves at the end. Our seed is searching for light.

When seeds germinate, they first send down roots. You will see a mild upheaval in the soil if you noticed carefully. At that point they are figuring where the light source is. Light is needed for their survival.

The intelligence of the seeds is immense. They will figure if there is a better light source in the vicinity compared to where they are housed. They will then make all the effort to get there. And spend all their energy in putting out those lanky stems to get there.

Which is why starting seeds indoors without a light source that can be turned on, is a bad idea.

Window sills and such places are bad ideas too, since seedlings will know that there is a better place with light out there. How to deal with this?

You have to provide for grow light if you start seeds early. However if you start them in March, when day temps are all above 60s in Atlanta, you can win. Provided you manage the lanky seedling with matching intelligence. You use the sunlight and ambient temps outdoors to advantage.

Get them light even before they pop up. Look for the upheaval in soil. Look for the tiny green hook that forms before they pop. That is the stage to catch them.

The seedlings need the comfort that there is enough light. Then they emerge strong, and as you can see in the picture, the gap between the soil and the first pair of leaves (coteydons) must be small. About an inch. Not more.

Seedlings need diffused light at this stage. That means a place where there is enough light without the confusion about better lighting somewhere else. But they can’t still take direct harsh sunlight. Choose your spot well. Keep them in a place with open skies and plenty light and a warm day, while direct sun does not fall in them. They can take early morning sun at the most. No direct sun is best.

It could be the shaded edges of your patio, a place below the tree that shades your backyard, a table placed outdoors near your kitchen door. Anything outdoors is fine. As long as day temperatures are above 60, they will do fine.

As for the lanky seedlings, some of them can be revived by repotting after true leaves have emerged. You have to wait and see. If the seedlings have wasted too much energy making a long neck, they will mostly flop and fail. You have to start over. This time make sure you spot the hook in time.