Quote:
Originally Posted by mobiledynamics
enchant. just wondering. when did you remove the domes off. IME, they get leggy the minute they sprout.
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The problem is that they sprout at different times. They start in 3x3 cells. So on the morning of day three, 2 seedlings have sprouted. By evening, 3 more have sprouted and the first are now an inch tall. On the following morning, the first two are 2" tall, a few are 1" tall, a couple more have just broken the surface, and a couple cells are still just dirt.
I really don't want to cut them all into individual cells based on their exact height. Once the majority have sprouted I take them out from the dome and put them under a light. I also don't want to micro-manage the height of each individual plant, coming up with a stand that is 1/2" shorter because a seedling has grown 1/2" taller. I can't believe that nature is that finicky. Every year my seedlings start out this leggy, and every year I wind up with thick stalks that are 8-9' tall delivering great fruit.
That said, I *do* appreciate all of the advice given, and I'm wiser thanks to that. I plan on keeping the seedlings closer to the light and I'm going to go out today and buy new lights, since the ones I have are at least 10 years old and probably aren't delivering sufficient illumination.