Hey everyone! We're trying our hand at gardening for the first time and recently planted some seeds using a starter mix of coco coir, vermiculite, perlite, and a bit of worm castings. We got our seeds from Johnny's and used various starter trays, domes, and heating mats. After about a week, some seedlings, especially broccoli and cauliflower, grew really tall and leggy, seemingly reaching for the light. I had the heating mat on for longer than I should have (36 hours instead of 24 max) and the lights are on for 16-17 hours a day with some natural light coming through a window. We're in Zone 9b, but only starting them indoors. I'm worried about the leggy growth and wondering if I need to change my light setup. Any advice would be appreciated!
3 Answers
I think your setup is decent but you might want to ditch the heating mat for seed germination—it's not necessary for everyone. And remember, once your seeds start sprouting, it's important to take off those domes to prevent mold. This will also let them acclimate better. Keep an eye on condensation though!
It seems like your main issue could be insufficient light. You should definitely try getting the seedlings outside to harden off once the weather permits. Given you're in Zone 9, direct sowing is usually possible at this time, but I get that the heat can be a concern. If you can, try to get a better lighting setup as that’s likely causing the legginess in your plants.
Yeah, if your seedlings are getting tall and straining for light, they're not getting enough. Consider using shop lights or LED grow lights mounted above them. If light strength is an issue, it could help a lot with their growth. And make sure to remove the domes after germination to reduce fungal risks. Good luck!