From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Newville, PA

I just started some of my pumpkins and they are starting to spout. But there is one that is really, really, long. I it about 5-6 inches tall and still growing. What is wrong with it?

5/5/2002 6:55:12 PM

San Diego

usually plants that get real lanky don't receive enough sun light, that could be the problem, some plants just grow higher too.

5/5/2002 7:26:35 PM

South Hill, Virginia

That happened to me last year. Someone suggested putting my shop light very close to the developing seedlings and then raising it a little at a time as the plant develops. It worked nicely this year. The "leggy" ones I had last year didn't make it. This early in the game I would pitch it and start another.

5/5/2002 10:56:19 PM

Webster, NY

I start my seeds indoors. As soon as they start poking through the soil, I put them in full sun during the day and bring them indoors at night until I'm ready to plant them. The plants don't get lanky, but the weather had to cooperate some for this to work.

5/5/2002 11:03:46 PM

When they get a tad leggy you can bury the stem when you transplant. With my light set-up they usually get from 3" to 4". When I transplant I leave about 1 1/2" of stem out, the rest gets buried.

5/6/2002 12:33:31 AM

Lake Stevens, WA, USA

Leggy is fine, as long as you get it in the ground soon. And when you do, bury it right up to the bottom of the cotyledon leaves. It will sprout roots along the entire length of the buried portion. Don't throw it out. If you don't plan on getting it in the ground for awhile, transfer it to a new pot that is deep enough to allow you to bury it to the bottom of the cots, and it will be fine.

David

5/6/2002 2:30:17 AM