How to avoid seedling lodging: find and eliminate the causes

In some regions, seedlings have to be sown early. As a result, gardeners may face various problems.

Most often, the stems become thinner, so the seedlings simply fall over.

Expert of the online publication "BelNovosti", landscape designer and agronomist Anastasia Kovrizhnykh notes that seedlings fall for various reasons.

Overwatering

This is one of the most common reasons. Beginner gardeners often allow the soil to become over-watered. Young roots cannot use all the water. As a result, oxygen access is blocked, so the seedlings fall.

Young seedlings should be watered with caution, otherwise various problems will arise.

Excessive watering most often leads to seedlings wilting. Gardeners recommend watering seedlings when the soil is completely dry. It is also not recommended to water the shoots until they are completely strong. Instead of watering, it is recommended to simply spray the soil with a spray bottle.

Seedlings fall in dense soil

The reason for seedlings wilting can also be too dense soil. In such soil, water stagnates, and oxygen access will be blocked. To prevent soil compaction, it is necessary to add various components to the soil composition.

Try to choose soil for seedlings that contains sawdust. They prevent the soil from compacting. The ideal solution would be to prepare the substrate yourself. The composition of the substrate should be selected depending on the characteristics of the garden crop.

Insufficient lighting

This is another common reason. After the first shoots appear, the seedlings must be exposed to light. The ideal option in this case would be to use a special lamp. As a result, the seedlings will receive enough light and will be strong enough.

With insufficient lighting, plants begin to stretch quickly. As a result, thin stems cannot withstand the load, so the seedlings simply fall. If there is no special lamp, then you can increase the level of lighting with the help of reflectors. You can try to make reflective screens yourself.

Cold

This factor has a huge impact on the growth and development of plants. First of all, it is important for garden crops that need a lot of heat. Many people think that plants will be comfortable on the windowsill, since there is a radiator nearby. However, the temperature near the window can drop to +12 degrees. These conditions are not suitable for seedlings, so they will wither.

Low temperatures lead to poor root growth. As a result, the roots cannot get enough useful components from the soil. The lower part of the stems in this case will become quite thin, so the plants will simply fall. To prevent hypothermia, you need to follow a few simple rules.

Try not to place containers with seedlings on the windowsill. Experienced gardeners recommend purchasing special warm mats. You can also choose an electric heating pad. Their power and size may vary. There is no need to install shelves for seedlings near the window. At the same time, there is no need to open the windows for ventilation where the seedlings are. Drafts have a negative effect on the growth of seedlings and lead to their wilting.

• Related news:
• seedling
• problems
• reasons
• world
• temperature
• 1 January 2023

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