First year starting seeds indoor. Planted butter crisp lettuce. Seeds sprouted but have fallen over, is this normal? They just kinda collapsed with the weight and are not very big. They seem brittle and thin.
Buttercrisp lettuce isn't so crisp :/ seeds fell over
First year starting seeds indoor. Planted butter crisp lettuce. Seeds sprouted but have fallen over, is this normal? They just kinda collapsed with the weight and are not very big. They seem brittle and thin.If you watered overhead they can fall over. It is best to bottom water. Lettuce seedlings are soft, but they grow fast. You should plant them out when they are 1.5- 2 inches tall. It will only take a couple of weeks. Seedlings do not like to dry out completely but they will dampen off if they are soggy so you do have to balance the watering. Do not let anything sit in a tray of water. What is not absorbed within 10 minutes should be drained off.
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applestar
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I'm wondering if your seedlings were light starved and were very weak. That seems to be a very common first time mistake.
Overwatering resulting in damping off is also definitely possible as imafan mentioned.
Lettuce is easy to start so don't be discouraged and start some more. If its above freezing in your location, you can also start lettuce in containers or in the ground outside -- you do need big enough containers so the potting mix won't dry out too quickly. And it will take longer to sprout. What has the temperatures high/low been like?
Overwatering resulting in damping off is also definitely possible as imafan mentioned.
Lettuce is easy to start so don't be discouraged and start some more. If its above freezing in your location, you can also start lettuce in containers or in the ground outside -- you do need big enough containers so the potting mix won't dry out too quickly. And it will take longer to sprout. What has the temperatures high/low been like?
Hi Mrspfunk,
I'd suggest you try to plant the seeds outdoors, it's always been easier this way for me.
Or if you really prefer to start them indoors, I suggest that you mist the seeds and the soil with a spray bottle. The delicate seedlings like the light mist a lot better than the pouring water of the watering can or whatever else you use to water them.
Also, what is the light source of the light that the seedlings are receiving?
I'd suggest you try to plant the seeds outdoors, it's always been easier this way for me.
Or if you really prefer to start them indoors, I suggest that you mist the seeds and the soil with a spray bottle. The delicate seedlings like the light mist a lot better than the pouring water of the watering can or whatever else you use to water them.
Also, what is the light source of the light that the seedlings are receiving?