This is a white mold that forms in the top of the soil. Those of us who have grown seedling indoors for any number of years know what 'Damping Off' disease. What they are really doing is building a stronger stem or stalk. You may notice the plants seem to slow down for a period. You can even lightly brush the tops of the plants, brushing back and forth in varying directions.

Tip: Take your hand,or a couple sheets of newspaper and fan the plants a few times a day. When transplanted outdoors, 'leggy' plants can be damaged or broken by the wind. Most seedlings do not even experience a slight breeze.

Indoors, they do not experience the effect of wind, and do not need to develop structure to defend against it. It is caused by insufficient sunlight and a sheltered environment. Seedlings are leggy when their main stem or stalk grows tall and thin and can hardly support the leaf structure. Most plants do not like to be root bound. Or, transplant seedlings to a larger pot. If it is still too cool, keep the bottom of the tray moist, or put some extra soil in the bottom of the tray. If the roots begin to come out the bottom of the pot, it is time to plant your seedling outdoors, weather permitting. After several days, adding a little liquid fertilizer to the water is helpful, but you do not need to give it full strength. Your soil starting mix usually comes with a balanced formula of nutrients that the seedlings need. The seedling does not need a lot of extra nutrients in it's first few days of life. The soil will absorb it through the bottom holes in your container.your container does have holes in the bottom, doesn't it!?! If you have a seed tray, add water to the bottom of the tray. Let the soil dry out a little on the top, then water thoroughly. Overly wet soil encourages the development of damping off disease. Provide water to your seedling every couple of days. You should also acquire an artificial Grow Light and place the seedlings under it on cloudy days and at night. Second, there are many rainy spring days with little or no direct sun. First, the sun is not up as long in the spring as it is in the summer. But this alone may not prove to be enough for the seedling to grow healthy and strong. Placing it by a window with a southern exposure is the first step. Your newborn needs as much and as direct a light source as possible. Ditto with your seedlings, who need all the sun and nutrients that they can get.You may want to leave a few extras for a while as mortality rate of seedlings can be high.Īs soon as the newborn seedling begins to emerge, it seeks light. Plants in your garden do not like to be crowded. See all of our brand-new seed pack offerings in our store. The Three Sisters Garden was the first example of companion planting in Native American culture. The Genesis Garden s a very popular Bible Garden collection. The Super Food Garden is the most nutrient dense garden you can build and everything you need is right here in one pack.

Be sure to check out our newest seed packs, available now from Heirloom Organics. Before you harvest, consider which varieties you might want to save seeds from so that your harvesting practice includes plants chosen for seed saving. Learning to save seeds is easy and fun with these books. Heirloom seeds are the gardeners choice for seed-saving from year-to-year. As you open your eyes, you will immediately begin a new set of worries, over-nurturing the newborn indoors for a short time while the outdoor weather catches up with your dreams. Close your eyes and you can almost see the plant grow and flourish into it's full beauty, producing an enviable profusion of flowers or vegetables. Maintaining Seedlings | How to Care for Starts & SeedlingsĪs your seedling emerges from the soil, most growers breath a big sigh of relief. Home > Guides > Seed Starting > Maintaining Seedlings

Rosemary seedlings leggy