Leggy plants

johnp 2/26/2014, 10:21 am

About two weeks ago I planted kale, spinach and basil. Everything came up fine but I was inattentive and missed lowering the grow light and the kale became quite leggy. The kale and spinach are going in the greenhouse this weekend to see how they do. I haven't had much experience with leggy plants and I thought I might plant the kale deeper so I wouldn't have the long stem. Would this work?

quiltbea 2/26/2014, 10:53 am

It was my understanding that if you plant leafy seedlings deeper than their bottom leaves, they will rot underground. With that in mind, I've transplanted right up to the bottom of the leaf growth on crops like lettuce and cabbage. Those with stems, I bury just a bit deeper, like peppers, broccoli and such.

**camprn** 2/26/2014, 3:20 pm

Agreed QB. John, when you say leggy, just how leggy do you mean? Do the seedling have true leaves yet?

**walshevak** 2/26/2014, 7:01 pm

My seedlings are leggy and they are planted outside. Very Happy

One of the problems I am having in PI.

Kay

johnp 2/27/2014, 8:43 am

Yes, all the plants have several new leaves. I am going to plant deeper to the base of the first leaves as quiltbea suggested, which should solve the problem of laying in the dirt ...er MM.

**camprn** 3/2/2014, 11:29 am

http://awaytogarden.com/why-vegetables-seedlings-stretch-and-get-spindly/

CapeCoddess 3/2/2014, 12:27 pm

camprn wrote: http://awaytogarden.com/why-vegetables-seedlings-stretch-and-get-spindly/

I have spindly collard seedlings right now due to leaving them on the heating pad under cover for one day too long, not knowing they had sprouted already. usually they grow into themselves out in the garden and will get me through until I can direct plant some later.

I didn't know about the spacing issue though. Fortunately this year I'm starting my seeds in a one inch plug tray. I wasn't sure if this was a good thing to do or not and now I know. Thank you!

CC

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