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kelvin_burgos

Hot Pepper Sprouts issues

9 years ago

I started growing some hot peppers a few weeks ago. I have 35 sprouts contained in a plastic seed starter. Some of the sprouts have long, spindly and weak stems that fall over constantly. Other sprouts have dark green leaves with the leaves dropping down. Any tips?

Comments (10)

  • 9 years ago

    Please post a pic. We can better suggest when we can see the conditions.

  • 9 years ago

    And give as much information as you can about the growing conditions. Temperature, the light they are getting and how close it is to the plants, type of potting mix, any fertilizers in the mix, how much you're watering, etc.

    Rodney

  • 9 years ago

    they are kept at around 78-85 degrees Fahrenheit, I am using a fluorescent bar light kept about 4 inches above the plants. They are kept in a Jiffy 35 count tomato starter with a larger 7 inch dome top. I water them about every 3-4 days.

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Once they sprout they no longer need to be in a covered dome. They are reaching for light and it's not strong enough to be that far away. What kind of light are you using T-5, T-8, T-12? I use shop lights T-12 bulbs and I have to keep it 1/2 inch to inch away from the tops of the plant. Most would say start over. I suggest repotting them and burying them deeper. I would remove the netting or completely remove them from the peat alltogether and plant them in potting soil. You can bury them up to just shy of the seed leaves. I have successfully rescued really leggy seedling like you have. Then keep the light very close to them. I am sure others will give their opinions, just decide which opinion you want to take and take action. Welcome to chili growing it's fun and addicting!

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I am sure others will give their opinions,

    Once they sprout they no longer need to be in a covered dome.....+1
    I suggest repotting them and burying them deeper
    ...... +1
    bury them up to just shy of the seed leaves. ................+1
    I would remove the netting.................................................+1
    or completely remove them from the peat .... -1 May cause un-needed stress
    Then keep the light very close to them. .................................+1
    and I have to keep it inches away from the tops of the plant. ..+1

    The only thing I'd add is 16hrs.on/8hrs. off on the lights and a small fan lightly blowing on seedlings so they "wave" not "bend over". With lights this close monitor seedlings closely for wilting, raise lights slightly if media is wet or water if media dry.

  • 9 years ago

    Everything habjolokia and Northeast said.


    And the only thing I want to add is...

    Let soil dry out almost bone dry between waterings...every 3 -4 days sounds way too often at their age.

    Tip- stick a bamboo skewer in the soil...if it comes out clean, water thoroughly. If soil is attached to the skewer, then hold off on watering.


    Kevin

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    The light is a T8 bulb. Also, any particular reason for the dark green wilting leaves?

  • 9 years ago

    Lights would have to be much closer. I am not sure what you mean by dark green wilting leaves. Could you take a close up? My guess would be exposure to high moisture caused by the covered dome.

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Not enough light!

    Water doesn't make them leggy.

    Water causes rot...

    Toss the to and lower the light.

    Get the highest Lumen light you can find in 5000-6500 lm.

    The ones bent over are because they are too wet,I think.

    Been there in my early days.

    Smoke

    PS. Ive been away from here a Long time.

    Cool to see a couple people here posting.

  • 9 years ago

    I've had a lot of success with those little pellets. I'd just add when you repot them to bury them deeper to the leaves, remove the netting but not the soil. The little pellet soil would be fine. I wouldn't add the stress of trying to remove that on top of it.

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