Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => General Gardening => Topic started by: Hey Jude on January 24, 2010, 22:01

Title: Spindley stems on seedlings
Post by: Hey Jude on January 24, 2010, 22:01

Was checking on some sweet pea and poppy seedlings that I've got in the cold frame and saw they all looked rather weak on the stems to the point that some of the sweet peas have fallen over and look wilted and ill!! The poppies have good bushy growth on top but if you look at the stems they get thinner and thinner towards the compost, and are as thin as a piece of cotton thread by the time they're in the compost. A number of the sweet peas were the same. I've never had this problem before - I sowed them last Oct/Nov time (whatever it said on the packet. I don't think I've overwatered them, the compost is the same one I always use, so I'm a bit perplexed, any ideas? Thanks, Hey Jude. 

Title: Re: Spindley stems on seedlings
Post by: 8doubles on January 25, 2010, 17:56

This sounds very much like `damping off' which i think is a fungal complaint caused by cold, damp and low light conditions. If it is a spray of Cheshunt Compound can help kill the fungus.
Flowers are not my strong point, so wait for more advise before rushing off to buy some. :)

Title: Re: Spindley stems on seedlings
Post by: Hey Jude on January 25, 2010, 19:01

Thanks 8doubles, it sounds right considering where they are and the weather we've had - oh well, I'll do it again in a couple of months! Hey Jude.