Leggy Seedlings - Knowledgebase Question

Closter, NJ
Avatar for kriak
Question by kriak
March 17, 1999
My indoor seedlings of cabbage, broccoli, and lettuce are too leggy. I can't belive they will develop heads some day. What can I do?


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Answer from NGA
March 17, 1999
If your seedlings are spindly, they're not getting enough light. Try putting them under a source of artificial light for 14-16 hours each day, keeping the lights about 4" above the tops of the plants. An inexpensive way to provide light to seedlings is by using fluorescent shoplights. These are hooded fixtures with chains attached to the tops, making them easy to suspend over a tray or flat of plants. Use 40-watt bulbs; one cool-white and one warm-white in each fixture. Then hang them over your seedlings, adjusting the height of the fixture so the bulbs remain 4"-6" above the foliage. Providing adequate light now will help your seedlings grow into sturdy plants.

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