Are my broccoli seedlings too skinny?

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GreenGuvnor Somerset, NJ(Zone 6b) Mar 22, 2009

Hi,

This year has been my first for growing flowers & veggies from seed. I am using a 125W Hydrofarm Compact Fluorescent light fixture that I keep approx 7 inches away from my seedlings. I don't want to move it any closer to the plants as I am illuminating 3 flats at once and the outer seedlings will get less light. I'm using the Miracle Gro Seed Starting potting mix and the seeds generally seem to be OK with that. I'm giving the seedlings 14-16 hours of CFL light and they have been kept moist.

This being my first time for seeds, I'm not sure what is the 'norm' and what is not. My broccoli seedlings seem a little skinny to me (indicating too little light).

I would really appreciate anyone out there giving me their opinion. I have attached a pic of them for you to see what I mean.

Many Thanks!


Thumbnail by GreenGuvnor
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denimangle Oakwood (Butler,TX), TX(Zone 8b) Mar 22, 2009

They look a lot better then mine did .. I just cut them off and ate them...lol
Bought some at Atwoods this week :)

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GreenGuvnor Somerset, NJ(Zone 6b) Mar 22, 2009

Hi Denimangle,

Does that mean they are not salvageable? I picked up two 6500k T8 fluorescent shop lights at Lowes this afternoon and have everything now growing under them at about 2" from the lamps. Should I just toss the broccoli seedlings and start again or is it likely they might recover?

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texasrockgarden Canyon Lake, TX(Zone 8b) Mar 22, 2009

Let them touch the bulbs otherwise they will continue to try to reach the light source.

Jerry

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denimangle Oakwood (Butler,TX), TX(Zone 8b) Mar 23, 2009

GreenGuvnor,
LOL NO I was just being funny yours look good to me

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GreenGuvnor Somerset, NJ(Zone 6b) Mar 23, 2009

Thanks.

I think that by now all the money I have sunk into this I could have bought a small grocery store ;0)

My wife thinks I'm crazy and should just buy transplants, but where's the fun in that!!!??

I've tried searching on the mighty Google, but couldn't find anything.

I'm just wondering if the stems are usually this skinny and generally fatten out, or whether to give the compost bin something to feed on and start over...


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feldon30 Houston, TX(Zone 9a) Mar 23, 2009

Those don't look TOO bad to me. The stems do thicken up over time. I might start another batch of seeds. And just keep them all really close to the lights.

Broccoli/Cauliflower sure seems more finicky as far as seed starting than tomatoes.

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