veggie seedlings are growing too tall too fast

7 years ago

I am using a germination mat for our veggie seeds in an old fish aquarium to keep the heat more even due to old windows and it being a tad cooler on that side of the kitchen with bank of windows. My Tomatillos seem to be very skinny and tall and worry they are not thick enough in the base to support the plant. I am also having problems with my cauliflower doing the same. my pickling cucmbers are doing well just not such a good germination rate compared to how many seeds I planted. Any advise to give?

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Tim in Colorado (5b)

7 years ago

I planted tomatillo seeds for the first time this year. My seedlings looked normal (not leggy), but as they started to grow more they grew tall and stalk-like. When I google pictures of young tomatillo plants, that appears to be normal (relative to regular tomato plants, that is).

Of course, if your other plants are looking leggy, that's surely a sign of not enough light. It doesn't take any fancy grow light. Even regular room bulbs (5000k color temp) work fine. I've got my seedlings under 3 desk lamps with standard-size 100w-equiv LED bulbs in them, and it seems to be sufficient. (2 tomatillo plants top-center.)

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Comments (6)

Vladimir (Zone 5b Massachusetts)
7 years ago
They are not getting enough light.
theforgottenone1013 (SE MI zone 5b/6a)
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Agree. Tall and thin means they aren't getting nearly enough light. Plus, heat mats are for germination only. If you keep them on heat they grow lankier faster. If the temps aren't much below 65 degrees F then the seedlings will be better off out in the open. An aquarium doesn't allow good air circulation and will increase the likelihood that things like damping off fungus will affect the seedlings.

Rodney
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The Logician LLC
7 years ago
What is your light source? It would seem difficult to get a tube-type light fixture down inside an aquarium and a single bulb would not light all plants evenly.
Heidi Rivera
Original Author
7 years ago
I have a grow light bulb. I think I will take them out of the aquarium then. I also put it there to protect from cats. thanks for both of your advise
Ted James
7 years ago
Let there be light
Heidi Rivera thanked Ted James