[laalaa]

how can i prevent them from shooting up so tall straight away. when i look at plants in the garden centre i get really envious because they look so gorgeous, and bushy!

any advice would be appreciated

laalaa

[Smudge]

You should always give your plants, after germination lots of even light that they do not have to stretch to reach. i have grown so many leggy veg that in the end i compost them because they just end up snapping when i plant them. Also make sure their pot is suitable for their root size, this will give them a better start. You can always put a bit of compost around the out stretched limb to help it or stake it.
Hope this helps.
SmudgeX

[freebo]

This is a problem I keep having too, paticularly my toms & cuces.

As I'm germinating them in a seed tray in a heated propogator on a windowsill how soon after they sprout should they go in the greenhouse?

I know I must be doing something wrong but just always seem to end up with really spindly seedlings!

Any suggestions really appreciated (and appologies to the OP for butting in!)

Mike

[Smudge]

With the weather heating up, the stages from propergator, to green house, to planting is getting really short (unless you are just growing things for the green house)It helps to harden things off so they do not get a shock, you can wait until  the fear of frosts have gone (end of april) it is safe to put pretty much anything outside, if they are small put a simple cloche over it (plastic bottle).This helps with the slugs too. If they are slightly stretched simply plant them further in the ground, and maybe steak for support.

[corndolly]

I think it best to remove seedlings from propagator as soon as leaves show, if the plants are becoming leggy. I would reduce the heat , move to unheated greenhouse then cold frame then outside and try to have good light source.

Most plants dont mind deep planting , tomatoes and cucs are difficult to handle if they become leggy, always try to keep the spaces between the leaf joint and truss ie next joint on stem as short as poss thats where the fruit will develop.The more trusses the better.

I think that you could plant your toms and cucs in an unheated greenhouse now but be wary of cold nights as the shock could stop them !
Fleece is very good at protecting tender plants just wrap around or lay over the top of the plants.WG recommends bubble wrap, newspaper or cardboard can also be used.

The main thing to try to avoid when growing from seed to plant to harvest is shock , it can be caused by drop in temp and moving house !good luck !