Leggy perennial seedlings

noonesperfect

I've sowed some aubretia seeds and have found that although they are growing quite well (some are just showing signs of their first proper leaves, not seed leaves) they are rather splindly and prostrate with not much root.

The seed tray is on a west facing windowsill (light all day but shaded from direct sunlight). I turn the container 90 degrees each day.

Any advice please? or will they suddenly stand upright?

PS I chose this windowsill as houseplants always thrive there normally!!

A._Badger

I was just about to write ' this is a perennial problem....' But it really is. the light levels you get on a windowsill are almost never sufficient to prevent seedlings from becoming etiolated, I find.

Do you have any possible way of getting them outside into a cold frame, or a small seed house of some kind?

You can sometimes compensate for this effect when pricking-out as you can transplant quite deeply, but it's best to avoid it if you can, by applying overhead light as soon as possible.

noonesperfect

Thanks for that.
I don't have a cold frame but have one of those mini greenhouse (cheapo from Wilko or somewhere similar)

It needs a new plastic cover but I could cover the seed tray with fleece or an upturned translucent plastic container (one of those big ones you get fat balls in for birds).

Is it warm enough at night now? I live ooooop north!!

A._Badger

I confess I've never grown it from seed, but I'd guess it would be a lot happier with more direct light. Just bring the seedlings in if it starts to get very cold. In effect, harden them off. You could do that by leaving them out during the day and bringing them in at night, gradually leaving them out for longer periods during warmer spells until they are out all the time.

Hope that's some help (until someone who has actually grown this from seed comes along!).

Taye

If you can't get them outside just yet, cut up an old cardboard box and cover it with tin foil and us that behind your seed trays it will maximise the day light they are getting by reflecting it back at them in all directions.

noonesperfect

Taye wrote: »

If you can't get them outside just yet, cut up an old cardboard box and cover it with tin foil and us that behind your seed trays it will maximise the day light they are getting by reflecting it back at them in all directions.

Sounds like an excellent idea!!

SAMHP_2

A few years ago I went on a seed growing course run by Derry Watkins of Special Plants. She is a great advocate of two things:
1. ALL ROUND light for seedlings (rather than window sills)
2. Once your seeds have germinated - treat 'em mean!! Toughen them up for the 'real world' as soon as you can, as window sill growing tends to make them too soft and spindly to stand a good chance of making strong, healthy plants.
I would try an get them out in a sheltered spot and just take care of them if the weather turns bad - just plonk an upturned cardboard box or similar over them if it looks like a frost (every chance until end of May!)
This may sound like scary advice, but it does work - you've just got to be brave. In my experience, these leggy, spindly things may well just keel over in the not too distant.
Good luck
Sam

annie123

you need to make one of these:
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=20486091&postcount=4

cant post pics again at the moment as I'm on a different computer, but stops all seeds from getting leggy