I suspect that the light source is kept at a distance.

Other contributing factors could be warm temperatures and over watering. Also some varieties tend to grow lanky rather than bushy. JMO.

Seysonn

How close are your lights?

Thanks guys, lights are about 6 inches above. But the temps are high. Around 85F. I have a greenhouse that's at 65F, I could condition them to go out there. I'll try a couple of test plants first though. :)

Ok. 85F is too warm for seedlings . Also 6" is too far. A lot of growers keep the light (fluorescent) as close as 2" even less. I personally like about 3"

Seysonn

Those don't look too bad IMO. You might want to think about topping them though if they don't start bushing out

Thanks guys.

Tigersuezo, how many nodes does the plant need before I can safely top it?

I would not top them, too young. Rather when you repot bury the stem deeper into the soil, I've done that plenty of times with plants as young or older than what you have pictured. They will grow roots from the buried stems. I keep my lights close but some plants grow faster than others so I bury them to keep them as even as possible.

Mark

I agree with Mark, don't top them, they are too young. As stated, bury them a bit deeper, light's a bit closer and put a fan on them for a few hours a day. The fan will help develop nice strong/thick stems.

Sandy

Thanks Sandy and Mark. I'll try that. Its getting warm enough for the greenhouse too (65F), so I'm going to put a couple test plants out there this weekend.

When you change the environment, you'd need to acclimate your plants (also called "hardening off) You keep the plant in the new environment , say for few hours first day the increase the hours gradually. Moving from 85F to 65F all of a sudden can shock the plant. But 65F , once acclimated is just fine. Anything over 50 shouldn't be a problem.

Seysonn

Yeah, for sure. I always harden off the starter plants. Just this year I've never started them so early and in such a hot room before.

These are spindly seedlings!

{{gwi:2130595}}

6" is fine for light if you have enough. what are you running?

85 is not too warm.. that's like perfect tropical weather.

Probably just needs an oscillating fan and maybe stronger lights.

Oh my northeast_chileman that is the definition of etiolated!!!!!

SCG

Ok THOSE are spindly shoots, for sure! Ha ha!

Jon, my lights are red/blue LED grow lights. Not super powerful...about 4 watts each but I have a LOT of them and they are housed in a rack with reflective mylar all around. My canteloupes, which are notoriously always long and lanky, and quite bushy this year, so I know there's adequate lighting.

Pic

I have 4 plants that are starting to look like northeast chilimans, 2 yuba tuba and 2 paper lantern the rest look normal.
Randal

Well, 6 days later, everything that's sprouted is now out of the garage (seedling rack) and out in the much cooler greenhouse (62-65F night time temps). And everything is looking MUCH better. Real sunlight, cooler temps, its doing them a world of good. Even the canteloupes have perked up and they were already looking tremendous!

Thanks for the help everyone!

Good to hear , TRT.

As I expressed my opinion before, cooler temps and more sun/light make sturdy seedling, especially night temperatures. That is how it is normally out in the nature. There usually a 20 degree difference between day and night temps (give or take a few degrees).

Seysonn.

Seysonn, that is perfect. My Tomatos, which I took out at the same time, also look miles better. It was just too hot and too dry in the garage. This is great, thanks!