Leggy seedlings help!!!!

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Heidigirl1 Johnstown, PA May 17, 2008

I am new to starting a garden indoors. I bought the pellets and planted the seeds. I planted watermelons, squash, peppers and tomatoes inside. I didn't realize they needed close overhead light right after germination and now I have spindly plants. :(( Is there any help for these plants or do I throw them away, chalk it up to learning and start again? I live in Pennsylvania, and I am now getting down to the wire. If necessary I can start the watermelons over again, but I will probably need to just buy the tomato plants if these can not be salvaged. Sure hope someone can help. Thanks.

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tucsonjill Lincoln, NE(Zone 5a) May 18, 2008

I don't know about your other plants, but leggy tomatoes are a relatively easy fix. The next time you pot them up, or plant them in the ground (whichever comes first), go ahead and bury them up to their first set of leaves. They'll form roots all along the buried stem and make a nice strong root system.

Post #4966614
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Heidigirl1 Johnstown, PA May 18, 2008

At this point they only have the first 2 leaves they get after they emerge. They haven't gotten a "true" leaf yet and as spindly as they are I wasn't sure if they would survive to even get that true leaf let alone a transplant and I didn't know if it was wise to invest the time and money into repotting them. I really have nothing to loose at this point though.
Thanks alot for your reply. I will get the hang of this yet. Vegetable Gardening outside
doesn't give me a problem, it's this starting the seeds stuff that I'm new to.

Post #4967245
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barhea7 (Bre) Sellersville, PA(Zone 7a) May 19, 2008

I had the same problem with my tomato's - what I did was covered more of the stem with potting mix, to support them. They are doing great now - Im from Pa too (close to Philly) and am going to plant them outside this weekend.
Good luck!
bre

Post #4973856
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feldon30 Houston, TX(Zone 9a) May 23, 2008

I would go buy a fluorescent light kit and use chains to lower the light, or books and DVD cases to raise your seed starting tray so the leaves are no more than 1-2 inches below the bulbs.

I would probably start new seeds of the watermelons and squash since they come up so fast.

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