My seedlings are dying!

**Paulina** · #1 February 27th, 2006, 10:03 AM

I've got about 5 trays of marigold seedlings, they started to grow, but now they're long and gangly looking with 2 leaves and some have fallen over and died looking like little stringy things. Am I overwatering/underwatering? They're in my greenhouse at about 18 degrees C and lots of light. Any tips?

***Eric La Fountaine*** · #2 February 27th, 2006, 10:56 AM

Sounds like they are not getting enough light, but you say there is lots of light. Is it direct sunlight?

**Paulina** · #3 February 27th, 2006, 11:42 AM

Yes, direct sunlight for about 4 hours (when it's sunny out). They're in my back shed with a large window that gets full sun, the rest of the day it's bright, but not direct sun. I have heat lamps in there to regulate the night temperature to keep it at 18 degrees.

**Rima** · #4 February 27th, 2006, 07:15 PM

That's not enough sun. They need it really bright all day, so you may want to think about full spectrum fluorescents.

**Anne Taylor** · #5 February 27th, 2006, 07:22 PM

Did you use a good soil? It sounds like a touch of 'damping off' to me.
I try to keep the bulb (tube actually) right over top, and give the plants a fan of air a couple of times a day to strengthen the stems.

**bcgift52** · #6 February 28th, 2006, 01:26 AM

Plants cannot be exposed to 4 hours of direct sun at one shot. They have to be slowly acclimatised.

***Eric La Fountaine*** · #7 February 28th, 2006, 11:25 AM

When it comes to seedlings, if they don't do well, I think it is better to start over. The initial growth is very important to later success. Sounds like supplemental light is in order Paulina.

**Paulina** · #8 February 28th, 2006, 01:54 PM

Yes, thanx, that's my plan, it's not like I don't have millions of extra seeds... I'm glad I started them early...