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San Diego

It's just showing its first true leaf. Should I be worried about the stem snapping when I transplant. I soaked the seeds in Gibberellic acid and have six plants growing. Damping off hasn't been a factor but I remain vigilant.

2/27/2010 10:17:31 AM

Western PA

It sounds like your seedling is EXTREMLY leggy. They get leggy from not enough light. Alot of growers plant the seedling up to the cot leaves in the garden, but 9 inches is very extreme.I really can't help you here. I hope you get some other responses to help you.

2/27/2010 1:19:59 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Get it into stronger light.

2/27/2010 4:15:39 PM

San Diego

Thanks, I've got it under the grow light 4 hours after the sun. When I plant it in the punkin mound should I bury the stem to the true leaves? Leggy is right! I didn't realize how much light the little buggers need. The others are in good shape comparitively speaking. The stems on them are 2-3 inches. Now if the rain would shut off and the sun would shine....east coast watch out here comes another storm. It's pouring here in San Diego. Heading your way!

2/27/2010 8:35:40 PM

Tinykinville

i would not recommend burying it up to the cot leaves, leave an inch or two below cots out so when it is time for vine to lay down you do not have too much stress on stem.

2/28/2010 12:54:47 AM

Rhode Island

if your grow light is kept a half inch above the new leafs them it will never get leggy.
im talking a professional grow light not a 100 watt bulb or something thats even hotter close to the surface.that would just burn the new plant.

2/28/2010 7:40:48 AM

Cedar Lake, IN.

Last year I used 60 watt CFL bulb at about 3 inches about the plant. That worked great. This year I purchased a 60 watt DAYSPOT Grow Bulb. I used it just as the directions said. At 12 inches above the plant, I got 9 inch long stems. Anything closer would burn them up. These were test seeds. I going back to the 60 watt CFL bulb for the seeds I'm going to grow this year.

2/28/2010 8:45:46 AM

Bethlehem CT

It sounds to be me like it may have gotten a little to much giberellic acid.

2/28/2010 4:27:38 PM