The seedling period for gardeners is always pleasant chores: it is necessary to prepare the seeds for sowing, prepare the soil, containers for seedlings, illumination lamps, and combine all this into one โcompositionโ. Weeks pass in anticipation of obtaining high-quality seedlings, but, unfortunately, the end result is far from always what the gardener would like to see: it happens that the seedlings stretch out quite strongly. Why does this happen, how to avoid stretching the seedlings and what to do if it has already stretched out? We will try to answer these questions in as much detail as possible.
Pulling out seedlings of tomatoes. ยฉ dianazh
Reasons for pulling seedlings
There are several main reasons โ this is the failure to meet the timing of sowing seeds, lack of lighting, too high a temperature in combination with dry air, thickened crops, improper feeding and untimely, abundant watering.
1. Incorrect sowing dates
First you need to strictly follow the optimal timing of sowing seeds and not rush to sow them too early, because, firstly, you can grow seedlings, and it will still be cold outside the window, and you wonโt be able to plant it on the site โ it will simply die from the cold ; secondly, you should not rush to sow seeds if you do not have supplementary lighting lamps.
2. Lack of light
The lack of light is almost the main reason why the seedlings are stretched: the plants are drawn to the light source, as a result of which the stalk becomes long, thin and fragile. Given this, lighting lamps must be installed and turned on both in the morning and in the evening, and in cloudy weather even during the day.
3. Heat
Another reason is the high temperature, you should clearly know that at high temperatures the aerial part develops intensively, and the root system grows weaker, the plants stretch. A high temperature (at the level of 23-24 degrees Celsius) in the room can only be maintained until the shoots appear on the surface of the soil, and immediately after that the temperature must be lowered to 14-16 degrees to allow the seedlings to develop fully and form as an aerial part. and the root system. After 8-10 days, the temperature can be raised again, to an average of 19-21 degrees above zero. If you want seedlings to develop at an ideal temperature for it, then simulate external conditions (that is, at night, try to make the temperature be 4-6 degrees lower than daytime).
4. Overwatering
Excessive watering is a good reason for pulling seedlings. Plants are especially strongly stretched at a combination of high temperature and excessive humidity. It must be remembered that 5-6 days after the emergence of seedlings on the surface of the soil, seedlings can not be watered at all, then watering should be carried out once every 5-6 days, trying to soak the soil well. If you see that the earth ball dries out faster, then watering can be carried out more often, and vice versa, if after five days the soil has not begun to dry out and is moist to the touch, then watering can be delayed.
5. Thickened crops
Too frequent crops โ there is a banal competition between plants: they all strive to overtake each other, and therefore stretch. If the seedlings have already appeared, they are thick, but still small, although it is already noticeable that the stems are longer than expected, then it is necessary to pick the seedlings, preferably in separate cups.
If you did not correctly calculate the number of seeds and the seedlings began to stretch later, when they acquire real leaves, then you can carefully remove one or two lower leaves โ this often helps. The fact is that the removal of leaves is a shock state for the plant, it must stop growing in height and start growing, as they say, in breadth, as a rule, while the root system develops more actively, and the stalk becomes thicker. After 6-8 days, the seedlings can again begin to stretch, then it is permissible to repeat the procedure and remove another leaf.
6. Wrong feeding
It must be clearly understood that at the initial stage of their growth and development, seedlings no longer need nitrogen fertilizers, but phosphorus and potash fertilizers. Fertilizers containing only nitrogen should be applied after 10-12 days.
What to do if the seedlings have already stretched out?
It is quite acceptable to plant overgrown seedlings in the ground, but only after making the holes deeper and placing the seedlings in them at an acute angle (40-45 degrees), directing the roots to the south and covering the plant with moist soil to the leaf blades. This method of planting will allow the plants to form an additional root system on the stalk immersed in the soil, then the stalk will straighten and the plant will get stronger.
If the seedlings have stretched out, and itโs still cool outside the window and you still canโt plant plants in the ground, then you need to reduce watering to a minimum and lower the temperature by 5-7 degrees. These actions will slow down the development of seedlings, the stalk will slightly wilt, become more pliable and can be very carefully bent into a ring and sprinkled with soil. It is also permissible to add soil to the container with seedlings, if the walls of the container allow it (up to the first leaves). This will also contribute to the formation of an additional root system on the stalk, and the seedlings will be stocky and strong by the time they land on the beds.
In addition to the well-known agricultural practices that we have described, you can also use the achievements of modern industry, for example, treat seedlings with a growth regulator, such as Athlete. This regulator stimulates the growth and development of the root system, makes the stalk stocky, preventing it from stretching. Plants can be sprayed with growth regulators, and watering under the root is also allowed at the first sign of seedling extension.
Features of care for elongated seedlings of individual crops
These were general techniques to restore the normal appearance of seedlings, however, a number of crops have their own characteristics, which you should also be aware of.
Seedlings of tomatoes
Tomatoes are very good at forming additional roots that develop on a stem buried in the soil, so this seedling can even be cut into pieces and rooted in moist soil or a glass of water. Usually, the top of the head with a part of the stem 4-5 cm long is cut off from the elongated tomato seedlings and the part of the remaining stem is separated from the root system. Both parts are rooted in water or soil โ as a result, normal plants are obtained.
seedlings of peppers
Pepper seedlings, unfortunately, cannot form an additional root system on the stalk; therefore, the method of planting elongated seedlings obliquely or trying to root the top of the head will not work. So that after planting the elongated seedlings of pepper, it gets stronger in a new place and begins to develop in width, it is necessary to pinch the top of the stem.
eggplant seedling
Elongated seedlings can be planted or dived into the soil when planting or picking, which will allow the seedlings to hold firmly in the ground, and possibly form a new root system and develop normally in the future.
Cucumbers, zucchini, pumpkin, melon, watermelons
The stalk of these crops is flexible, when pulling out seedlings, when planting it in the ground, you can easily roll it into a ring, press this ring to the ground and fill it with moist and nutritious soil.
Seedling cabbage
When pulling out seedlings of cabbage, it is necessary to pinch the tip of the root (approximately 0,5 cm) and then plant the seedlings in the ground, deepening the plant to the cotyledon leaves. After 8-10 days, the seedlings must be fed with potassium sulfate (8-10 g per square meter) or wood ash (150 g per square meter).
Pulling seedlings. ยฉ Kim
flower crops
Stretched seedlings Petunias ะธ Clove you can safely deepen to the cotyledon leaves and pinch their tops. With a very strong stretching of petunia seedlings, you can do the same with tomatoes โ cut off the tops and root them in water or soil.
At the stretched seedling violas, lobelia, snapdragon you can pinch the tops and shorten the root system by ten percent, after which the plants can be planted in a permanent place.
Seedling stock roses and seedlings marigolds it often stretches out even for no apparent reason, you can plant such seedlings without any action with it, as a rule, seedlings continue to fully develop in a new place.
So, so that the seedlings do not stretch, you need to follow simple rules: use full-fledged seed material for sowing, preferably disinfected; apply loose, nutritious and disinfected soil; observe the optimal distance already when planting seeds and, of course, do this in the future โ when picking seedlings; do not rush to sow, place containers with seedlings on the southern windowsill and use lighting lamps for seedlings; maintain optimal temperature and soil moisture; apply fertilizer in a timely and correct manner.
If you know other reasons why seedlings are stretched, and ways to eliminate this phenomenon, then write about it in the comments, it will be useful for everyone to learn something new.
