Mike Lyle wrote:
pk wrote:
Mark Allison wrote:
Hi,

2) Prick them out and place most of the stem under the soil surface
and hope they take.

What would you do? I don't have spare seeds left, I'd have to buy
more so I'm more inclined to go with option 2.



let the stem toughen up a bit before doing that though.

And I wouldn't plant them deep as you suggest: plants don't as a rule
like having their stems buried. If you give your seedlings plenty of
light, the extension growth won't stretch out like that. I can't see
this straggling growth making much difference to the final result, as
you'll be supporting the mature plants with stakes or string. It
would be different with most other plants, where getting nice stocky
youngsters is important.

Seeds and time are too valuable for you to chuck the seedlings away!

tomatoes are the exception to that rule, they will root from the stem. Look
at the bottom inch or few of a tomato stem and you will see the nodules from
which the root growth will come. I've not groen them for a number of years
but i always used to do this for seedlings that were too leggy

Deep planting in fact promotes better root structure

see
http://www.selectedplants.com/seedlings.htm
What on earth is a “leggy” seedling and what do I do with one?

A leggy seedling is one with a root system, a loooong stem, and a few leaves
near the top. It is a result of growing in competition for light or with
inadequate light. If your seedlings get “leggy”, you may be able to salvage
them by re-potting in deep pots so that you can bury several inches of the
stem. When you get ready to transplant outdoors, make a trench to plant
them. Lay the stem out in the trench and prop the leaves up above the soil
so they can grow. The plants will root all along the stem which makes the
plant more productive.




pk