I planted my seeds in a propagater, the seeds have now grown to the top of the propagater. The problem is that when i take the lid off the leaves start to wilt.The soil is damp. Any ideas.
2007-04-08 21:05:13 · 4 answers · asked by jef 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Other - Home & Garden
Seedlings and plants grown in a hot/glass house (and a propagator is a mini glass house) need to be "hardened off". This involves exposing the plants to the new conditions that they are expected to grow in gradually.
For example you could place the propagator with the lid off in a shaded area (out of the full sun) for 20 - 30 minutes for a few days, then for slightly longer periods, then move the plants to a sunnier position. It is the sudden change in conditions that causes the seedlings to wilt, as they have no time to adapt.
Try this and I'm fairly sure that your results will improve.
2007-04-08 21:17:30 · answer #1 · answered by Barb Outhere 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It sounds to me as though they have bolted.. this means their stems are long and thin and wll be very unlikely to grow into healthy mature plants as the stems are so weak and fleshy that they will get what's known as 'damping off', (they wither and rot when transplanted as the stems are too weak) as someone else recommended you may be able to slowly harden them off (allow them to get used to life outside the propagator slowly) and then transplant to grow on.. but I fear that there will just be too much stem and too little root.. or equally you will damage the delicate roots and stem when you transplant... Give it a go.. gardening is full of learning curves!! Good luck!
2007-04-09 05:23:29 · answer #2 · answered by Nomio 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If they'v reached the top they'l need potting up or planting out , dont worry about the wilting they'l pick up !!
2007-04-09 04:13:11 · answer #3 · answered by nicemanvery 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they need to be hardend off
2007-04-09 07:21:17 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋