Re: [CH] leggy aji amarillos

The NorthEast ChileMan (thenortheastchileman@attbi.com)
Fri, 17 May 2002 20:15:03 -0400 

I've used two methods to get a handle on legginess with my sprouts. The
first doesn't apply to your current situation, but you could use it in the
future. At the first sign of slender growth, shock the plant with cold air.
I've opened a window & left them on the sill or put them outside for a
spell. Temp should be between 35° & 45° F/length of time about two to three
hours (basically until soil temp reaches air temp).
Second applies to your current dilemma.   Snip:

One interesting thing I've noticed is that the stems are trying to send out
roots up above where the seed leaves were.  Some are trying to root up at
the second set of true leaves.

At this point I poke a few holes in the bottom of a 1/2 gallon milk
container & repot the spindly shoots to where the roots are appearing. I use
Miracle Gro potting soil WITH time release fertilizer (sorry Byron) at this
point & use no other fertilizer. I start my seeds in peat pellets, transfer
to peat pots after sprouting so if needed I can just stick them in the milk
container or the ground as needed.
      Hope this helps,
             Paul

----- Original Message -----
From: "Parkhurst, Scott Contractor" <SCOTT.PARKHURST@LEAVENWORTH.ARMY.MIL>
Sent: Wednesday, 15 May, 2002 3:19 PM
Subject: [CH] leggy aji amarillos>

>    This spring has been so cold, wet and windy I haven't been able to
plant
> out yet.  All my seedlings are ok so far, two even set fruit, except for
the
> aji amarillos.  They are leggy like I've never seen before.  They have
grown
> up into the light fixtures, around the light fixtures and around each
other.
> The stems aren't too strong so I've had to prop them up or they lie down
and
> grow sideways before heading up for the lights.
>
>    They germinated about 2 days before any of the others, only fresh
bought
> seeds I used this year (Seeds of Change), same lighting (down low over the
> plants so they won't strech for the light) and same fertilizer (way scaled
> back dose of Osmocote-like time release).  All my other seedlings got the
exact
> same treatment and are doing just like normal.
>
>    One interesting thing I've noticed is that the stems are trying to send
out
> roots up above where the seed leaves were.  Some are trying to root up at
> the second set of true leaves.