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| We planted these zucchini seeds last Sunday, 3/9, and they germinated within a few days. Over the last week I've been watching them take off and they've now reached about 6 inches in height. Today I checked on them and 4 of the 10 (the tallest ones) have fallen over. Three of them I moved lightly this morning to untangle them a bit, but I didn't force them at all. Are they ok? Is there something I should do for them? I think they need to go in a bigger pot, but I want to make sure they're healthy first. I remember when we grew zukes last year the plant eventually tipped over when it got too big, but that was much more mature than these are. Thanks! |
Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by Natures_Nature 5 OH (My Page) on Fri, Mar 21, 14 at 12:53
| Need more light. Ideally, put a shoplight only an inch away from the tops of plants. I would throw these in the compost pile and start over. The plants that are not soo leggy and not falling over, you could salvage them, but the zuke that are toppling over, i would start over forsure. Fortunately. Zuchinni grows quick, so you dont even need to give it a head start indoors, you could direct sow the seed in the garden, your choice. Either way, dont give up trying! All you need is more light, closer to the plants! A fan kicking on low, blowing at the plants, will also help control height(leggy, falling over seedlings. Also, to make things easier, and prevent problems down the road. Do NOT use peat pots, or pellets, or anything that can wick moisture from the growing medium. It makes things difficult. Long story short, just dont use them. Buy a normal plastic seed starting tray. I picked up a tray for about 160 plants(very small individual cells) for $4. 1st priority: more light 2nd priority: get rid of those peat pots, get normal plastic seed trays everyone uses 3rd priority: a light blowing fan After that, you'll be growing like a pro! Best of luck! Any more questions, any of us would be happy to answer? |
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| They need more light. AND bigger pots. Or, better, being planted outside. But for now they seem to be alive and growing leggy, is all. Curcubits don't do that well transplanted. It may well be that you started them too soon and should start over, later. Also, thin out those others right now to one per pot. |
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| Excellent advice! I'll just add that you should call your local extension office and find out what your planting date is....the last expected frost date. Don't jump the gun when planting outside. I direct sow all of my veggies other than tomatoes and peppers, which are started six or eight weeks (or so) early under lights, along with the annual flowers. |
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| The notion that zucchini don't transplant well is not totally accurate. Some of us live in climates where they are routinely started indoors simply because it is too cool outside for germination until well into the summer. I wouldn't throw these out either. Clearly they need more light, as do the other seedlings in the photo, but zucchini, like tomatoes can be planted deeper when set out. They will root from the stems. If it's still a bit chilly for them when you plant out you can give each one a cut off plastic bottle mini cloche for a short while. |
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| I've started curcubits inside and transplanted them. They do live and produce. But I find that in my climate, direct-seeded plants overtake the transplants and grow more vigorously. floral uk makes a good point that zukes will root readily from the stem, so if these seedlings are planted out soon, putting them in deeply would help them thrive and keep them from snapping off. |
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| Your plants are what are called "leggy". Search that term and find all sorts of info. The stems are too weak to support the heads and it is caused by far too little light as others have said. Many of the other plants in your photo are also far too leggy. They just aren't as obvious. Window light is never enough. Even greenhouses use supplemental lighting this time of year. Check out the Growing from Seed forum here for all kinds of info. Dave |
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- Posted by Andrew_RVA none (My Page) on Fri, Mar 21, 14 at 17:05
| Great information, thanks everyone! |
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