by Seedling lodging is a common occurrence. If the seedlings sprout quickly and amicably and look healthy, do not rush to rejoice. It happens that seemingly strong plants, for no apparent reason, begin to lean to the side and fall. If you do not find the cause in time, you risk losing the plants.
To figure out what happened to the seedlings, first of all, carefully examine the crops and soil, pay attention to the air temperature in the room, as well as the lighting. Remember what actions you have taken in caring for them recently.
There are several reasons why seedlings fall over. We list the main ones and tell you how to solve the problem.
Reason 1. Incorrect watering
Both excess and deficiency of moisture lead to the fact that plants cannot develop normally and fall over.
In the first case, due to stagnant moisture, the roots do not receive oxygen and begin to “suffocate”, the plants weaken, wither and fall. Often, excessive watering leads to the development of dangerous diseases. If no measures are taken, the seedlings risk dying.
In the second case, if the plants are not watered enough, the soil dries out, the seedlings wither, curl up and fall on their sides.
It also happens that seedlings “lie down” from a strong pressure of water if watering is done not at the roots, but directly on the leaves.
What to do: To avoid lodging of seedlings, normalize watering. The soil should be moist, but water should not stagnate in the container. If necessary, make drainage holes in it. Make sure that the soil does not dry out or crack. Direct the stream of water under the root, avoid getting it on the leaves. Water in the morning, using settled water at room temperature.
Reason 2. Lack of light
A lack of light also causes seedlings to lodge. When there is a lack of light, plants stretch out, become thin, weak, and crooked. The stem is simply unable to hold the upper part, and the plant leans to the side. The curvature usually occurs in the direction of the light source.
What to do: To avoid problems with stretching and lodging, do not sow seeds ahead of time. If daylight is short, supplement the crops with a phytolamp for 2-3 hours in the morning and evening.
Reason 3. Inappropriate air temperature
The optimum temperature for seedlings is 20-22°C. If the room is too hot or, conversely, too cold, this may lead to lodging of seedlings.
In cold weather, plant growth stops, they stop absorbing nutrients, become weak, stems droop and fall. Such plants become susceptible to diseases.
If the air temperature is too high, the seedlings begin to wilt, lean to the side, lie down, and sometimes fall out of the container.
Sudden changes in temperature will also have a detrimental effect on the development of seedlings.
What to do: To save the seedlings, set a comfortable temperature for the plants, protecting the fragile sprouts from cold and excessive heat. If the crops are located near a hot radiator, move the containers to a cooler place and vice versa. You can also treat the plants with Zircon or Epin – this will help alleviate stress.
Reason 4. Drafts
For normal growth, seedlings need fresh air. But during ventilation, it is better not to leave containers near open windows. In a draft from the air flow, seedlings can simply fall over on their side.
What to do: If you notice that the seedlings are falling over near an open window, move the containers to another place, away from open windows, while airing.
Reason 5. Unsuitable soil
Young plants need a loose, nutritious substrate with neutral acidity. If the soil in which the seedlings grow is too heavy and acidic, then oxygen access to the roots will be difficult and the plants will begin to “suffocate”, weaken and fall over.
Crops will also feel uncomfortable in too poor, crumbly, alkaline or saline soil. Weakened stems will not withstand the load and will begin to bend towards the ground.
What to do: Carefully select the soil before sowing seeds, depending on the preferences of a particular crop. If the plants have already grown a little and tolerate picking well, plant them in separate containers with suitable soil. Otherwise, try adding the necessary substrate to the roots. Use wood ash to deoxidize the soil. Vermiculite will help “lighten” heavy soil – scatter it over the surface and lightly dig it into the soil with a fork.
Reason 6. Incorrect feeding
Lodging of seedlings is also provoked by incorrect fertilizing. Excessive application of nutrients (especially nitrogen) provokes rapid development of the above-ground mass to the detriment of the roots. Plants begin to stretch out and lie down.
A sad result awaits summer residents who avoid applying fertilizers. Weakened seedlings, not finding the necessary nutrients, grow weak and often lean to one side.
What to do: Apply fertilizers on time and in the right dosage, taking into account the manufacturer’s recommendations. If the shoots have stretched out due to excess fertilizers, adjust the schedule for adding nutrients, excluding nitrogen until the condition returns to normal.
Reason 7. Untimely picking and dense sowing
If the seeds are sown too densely, the seedlings will have to compete with each other for light, water and nutrients. In a cramped container, the plants will strive upward, but over time, the thin stems will not withstand the weight and will begin to bend towards the ground and fall.
If you delay picking, the overgrown and elongated seedlings will have a hard time maintaining their balance without their neighboring “brothers.” The plants will also “fall” on their side. The seedlings will begin to wilt and then fall after being transplanted to a new location. But in this case, they will soon recover over time.
What to do: Sow the seeds at the required distance, or later remove the weakest seedlings, transplanting them into individual containers. When the seedlings have 2-3 true leaves, transplant the plantings. Keep in mind that some crops do not tolerate transplanting well, so sow them immediately into individual cups. After transplanting, shade the seedlings, this will allow them to adapt to the new conditions faster.
Reason 8. Seedling diseases
The worst reason why seedlings fall over is disease. The main ones are black leg and fusarium.
When infected with black leg, the stem at the base darkens, becomes thinner, and a “constriction” appears. The plant withers, leans to the side, and falls. The insidiousness of the disease is that neighboring plants are infected very quickly. With fusarium, the leaves turn yellow, dry out, the plants wither and fall.
There are many reasons for the development of diseases. They are mainly associated with violation of care rules or the use of contaminated soil or planting material.
What to do: Diseased seedlings should be removed, and healthy plants and soil should be treated with fungicides – Alirin-B, Fitosporin-M, Sporobacterin, Gamair, Previkur Energy, etc.
Don’t be alarmed if you notice your seedlings lodging. In most cases, the problem can be solved. The main thing is to determine the cause in time and provide proper care.
