Each year I start a few varieties of plants under grow lights. This year, though, I just didn't give them the time and attention that they needed and deserved. I used an inadequate seed-starting mix for some of them. There were a couple of times when I neglected watering which I think is what caused a yellowing of the leaves. And I didn't transplant them out into the garden when they were ready for it. Generally, I just didn't take care of them well.

But hoping against hope, three weeks ago I eventually put them out in the garden (here in Boston we had the earliest last frost date in years -- I think we had no frost in April at all), but most of them have just sat there sulking, not really growing much and generally looking forlorn. A few have somehow managed to bloom a few sad flowers but overall look like they're hanging on for dear life.

We're talking about Rose Balsam (Impatiens balsamina), African Daisy (Dimorphotheca sinuata), Painted Tongue (Salpiglossis sinuata), Stock (Matthiola incana) Love-Lies-Bleeding, Strawflower, and a few others.

Is there anything I can do about my poor plants? I have a sneaking suspicion that if in its first month a seedling has not received adequate water or nutrition, and has its youthful vigor interrupted because its owner just didn't transplant it when it was ready, it often just never recovers. But is there anything I can do to make it up to them? Foliar spray? Nitrogen? Phosphorous?

As an example, here are a few photos of the seedlings of Rose Balsam (which are one of the most beautiful annual flowers I've ever grown ... at least they were last year). After three weeks in the ground, there's a tiny bit of green growth at the top, but not much. Any thoughts would be appreciated.