[banf77]

Hi,

I put a propagator in the airing cupboard recently, with a mixture of tomato and chilli seeds. They were in for about 10-14 days, but when I took them out, at least half had shot up to about 4 inches! But they are really thin and spindly. Any idea if this is a problem?
Cheers
Steve

[DD.]

Yes, afraid so.

These seedlings need light as soon as they germinate.

Time to start again, they'll be beyond hope.

Keep the next lot in the light and take the lid off as soon as they germinate.

Then place them in a window with some aluminium foil behind them to reflect even more light.

Light is the key issue.

[BabbyAnn]

They were in for about 10-14 days

 

may I also recommend that you check them on an almost daily basis about 2-3 days of sowing and putting in the airing cupboard - tomatoes take about 4-5 days to germinate in ideal conditions, chillies usually about a week after but you always get some a little earlier or more usually later.

[DD.]

I wouldn't even put them in an airing cupboard, somewhere warm in the house is OK. It's all to easy to forget them if you shut them away!

[banf77]

Thanks for your replies, appreciated.
Time to start again then 

Cheers
Steve

[compostqueen]

Always take time to read the seed packet instructions. It can save you from grief such as this.  Good luck with the next batch. Don't sow the entire packet! 

[GrannieAnnie]

Don't give up on the seedlings yet though.  Try re-potting them, and as they are tomatoes and chillies, put them right down into the pot so that only the tops are showing.

You may still get some nice plants.     Depends, if they really are too spindly, they ma not survive, but miracles can still happen! 

[DD.]

In all honesty GA, if they're like that, it's easier to resow!

[GrannieAnnie]

You are right DD I know, but I hate losing plants, no matter how small!   

[compostqueen]

Yes but Grannie you're not likely to have consigned your seedlings into the dark of the airing cupboard for two weeks, so you're not faced with that scenario

I wonder what the packet instructions recommended.  Hmmmm