I have a new sunflower plant. Its about a week old. I accidentally knocked it over and the only leaf it has broke. What am I suppose to do? Can I fix it?
Pictures are below. Please leave me a reply? Thanks.
[img]https://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q159/whyerox/PB220136.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q159/whyerox/PB220134.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q159/whyerox/PB220133.jpg[/img]
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- rainbowgardener
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Not likely that it can be saved. You can't really put stems back together. If the seedling were farther along you could just cut it where it broke and hope that it would regenerate from the roots. But this one is such a baby. I think (unfortunately ) it is start over time.
But might I suggest that the reason it broke is that even before the accident it was looking very leggy... weak and spindly and stretched out. It looks like it wasn't getting enough light. With not enough light, plants tend to get tall and spindly, stretching themselves up to try to find some. Healthy seedlings would be sturdier looking. If you are going to start over, try adding some artificial lighting (or if it was under a light try bringing it down closer--for starting seedlings the lights should be just a few inches above the plant and on for 16 hrs a day).
Better luck next time! And welcome to our forum; hope you find it friendly and helpful.
But might I suggest that the reason it broke is that even before the accident it was looking very leggy... weak and spindly and stretched out. It looks like it wasn't getting enough light. With not enough light, plants tend to get tall and spindly, stretching themselves up to try to find some. Healthy seedlings would be sturdier looking. If you are going to start over, try adding some artificial lighting (or if it was under a light try bringing it down closer--for starting seedlings the lights should be just a few inches above the plant and on for 16 hrs a day).
Better luck next time! And welcome to our forum; hope you find it friendly and helpful.
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- rainbowgardener
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The other little seedling in the pot wrapped in white plastic? No, sorry to sound discouraging, but it also looks like not getting enough light and probably like the light is all coming from one direction, making the plant bend towards it. You have these on a windowsill, right?
Windowsills, especially this time of year, with short days (well you didn't say where you are, but those of us in the Northern Hemisphere) just don't have nearly enough light. If you are growing on a windowsill, you need to keep rotating the plant to keep it from growing toward the light.
Incidentally what is the white plastic for? Water needs to get out of the pot or your plant will drown (roots rot, which little seedlings like this are particularly susceptible to).
Windowsills, especially this time of year, with short days (well you didn't say where you are, but those of us in the Northern Hemisphere) just don't have nearly enough light. If you are growing on a windowsill, you need to keep rotating the plant to keep it from growing toward the light.
Incidentally what is the white plastic for? Water needs to get out of the pot or your plant will drown (roots rot, which little seedlings like this are particularly susceptible to).
- rainbowgardener
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The other little seedling in the pot wrapped in white plastic? No, sorry to sound discouraging, but it also looks like not getting enough light and probably like the light is all coming from one direction, making the plant bend towards it. You have these on a windowsill, right?
Windowsills, especially this time of year, with short days (well you didn't say where you are, but those of us in the Northern Hemisphere) just don't have nearly enough light. If you are growing on a windowsill, you need to keep rotating the plant to keep it from growing toward the light.
Incidentally what is the white plastic for? Water needs to get out of the pot or your plant will drown (roots rot, which little seedlings like this are particularly susceptible to).
Windowsills, especially this time of year, with short days (well you didn't say where you are, but those of us in the Northern Hemisphere) just don't have nearly enough light. If you are growing on a windowsill, you need to keep rotating the plant to keep it from growing toward the light.
Incidentally what is the white plastic for? Water needs to get out of the pot or your plant will drown (roots rot, which little seedlings like this are particularly susceptible to).
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Oh that isnt plastic and its paper and its around the side of the pot like a bottomless cylinder. I am from Singapore and yup its on a windowsill and its been raining lately so not much sunlight and that was the reason why I put my sunflower under a light but little did I know I should have rotated the plant. I always thought that I should turn the leaves to where the sunlight shines so that its easier for the plant to photosynthesize. Soooo I was wrong haha. I shall start rotating the plant from now on than. Thanks for the advice. So what's the next step that I should take if I may ask?
Should I stake the plant so that it is upright? Or should I just leave it but keep rotating??? TYVM for alll of your help I hope that I can still salvage it.
Should I stake the plant so that it is upright? Or should I just leave it but keep rotating??? TYVM for alll of your help I hope that I can still salvage it.
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