Is this root rot? Or what's wrong?

[Rooted]

First time seed starting... I have green and orange peppers. I went out of town for 3 days so I put my plants in a dish and watered them well and put them in front of brightest window I have. When I returned home some were leaned over and some also have this... what's wrong?

[imafan26]

It is roots. It is probably planted shallow or the media was very dense. Add more media to cover and support the plant. Don't overwater, your mix looks heavy. I prefer a light mix for seedlings, it is finer and not so coarse or heavy.

[john gault]

I agree, just don't add too much, just enough to cover the roots is all I would add. Or you could just transplant it and make sure the exposed roots are covered.

[applestar]

Agreed -- those are normal roots. I usually plant the pepper seedlings deeper. Not quite as liberally as tomato seedlings but a little bit deeper. In the pictured seedlings, the bottom of the stem where it first sprouted, and where it transitions to roots is obvious (there is usually a little kink) so the root-producing cells were exposed. Luckily you did water well so this part wasn't dried out.

Bury to about 1/4" to 1/2" above where the roots are growing since the potting mix will settle. I'm a bit concerned about all those woody, mulch-y stuff. If your potting mix looks like that, it's not a very good one and may cause nitrogen lock up. Especially for starting seeds and little seedlings, I might even screen those out.

I usually add a little sand to the mix for burying pepper stems.

[imafan26]

I don't use a composty seed starting mix. I like a fine mix of 50/50 peat lite. It makes it easy for the roots to penetrate and it dries quickly so I have fewer issues with damping off.