Stretched seedling needs support?

[Username85]

Might be a silly question, but I’m braving you lot with it anyway haha.
One of my seedlings stretched pretty well over the past few days, should I be bracing it with something for support, or is this fine since I plan to LST later on?
Using a SF1000 at 50% appx 20” above seedlings

 

[zzyx]

At this point, give it some support. In the future, give your seedlings more light.

 

[Username85]

At this point, give it some support. In the future, give your seedlings more light.

I know I don’t have a very powerful light, but for next time would you just use a higher power setting or lights closer to the seedlings?

 

[zzyx]

I know I don’t have a very powerful light, but for next time would you just use a higher power setting or lights closer to the seedlings?

Either will do.

 

[Herb & Suds]

Next time fill cup only half full so you can add soil to support it till it stops stretching

 

[ComfortCreator]

Better when seedlings to run a higher power so as not to risk burning them but as mentioned either will work.

Support it until it doesnt need it anymore, probably just a few days.

A straw is a good idea, but it is very smooth and doesnt offer anything to grab onto. A pipe cleaner is ideal, it can even be shaped to push it up vs tying the seedling to it. Anything that can hold it up is fine. You could even make a small cut in the straw so when you tie to it it stays in place.

 

[zzyx]

Next time fill cup only half full so you can add soil to support it till it stops stretching

Why not a 1/4 full and it can stretch even further!

 

[Username85]

Thanks for the responses everyone, gonna give her more support and up the power 10% for now

 

[zzyx]

Thanks for the responses everyone, gonna give her more support and up the power 10% for now

I’d up it all the way. Remember, seeds sprout in full sun and love it!

 

[ComfortCreator]

Next time fill cup only half full so you can add soil to support it till it stops stretching

I want to second (third /fourth, whatever number I am lol) this. When starting from seed there is always a concern too much too little light. I always leave room at the top so that as soon as they stretch a little (to me, meaning they are taking to the soil and going to sprout fully), I can turn up the light intensity and then add a little soil to support them.

 

[LeastExpectedGrower]

Rather than trying to tie that up...I use cheapass lawn staples as props when there's more stretching than I want. I started slow with this one recently and it got a bit stretched, so more light intensity for a few days & my circulation fans adjusted to give it some breeze to catch up:

 

[ComfortCreator]

Rather than trying to tie that up...I use cheapass lawn staples as props when there's more stretching than I want. I started slow with this one recently and it got a bit stretched, so more light intensity for a few days & my circulation fans adjusted to give it some breeze to catch up:

View attachment 5041017

Those are lawn staples? Lol they sold them as plant stakes but I totally see how they would connect rolls of sod!

Learning

 

[Don't Bogart]

Replant it and bury it a little deeper.

 

[LeastExpectedGrower]

Those are lawn staples? Lol they sold them as plant stakes but I totally see how they would connect rolls of sod!

Learning

I use them in my vegetable gardens to secure the permeable black plastic weed-guard I put down, and have piles of them.

I also use them as tie-down anchors when I'm doing LST and the plants aren't quite big enough to tie to the edges of the 5g cloth pots. This is a shot of one from this past summer, but you can see that most of the ties are hooked onto the staples rather than to the bag.

 

[ComfortCreator]

I use them in my vegetable gardens to secure the permeable black plastic weed-guard I put down, and have piles of them.

I also use them as tie-down anchors when I'm doing LST and the plants aren't quite big enough to tie to the edges of the 5g cloth pots. This is a shot of one from this past summer, but you can see that most of the ties are hooked onto the staples rather than to the bag.

They are my go-to for tie or stake downs when I am shaping mine.

 

[hotrodharley]

I know I don’t have a very powerful light, but for next time would you just use a higher power setting or lights closer to the seedlings?

Either and if you think that light can't bleach or burn you're mistaken. Suggest increase in power SLIGHTLY. You can bury stretched stems during transplant much easier than trying to nurse damaged seedlings.

 

[bazoomer]

Bury it deeper for the win.

 

[zzyx]

Either and if you think that light can't bleach or burn you're mistaken. Suggest increase in power SLIGHTLY. You can bury stretched stems during transplant much easier than trying to nurse damaged seedlings.

I’ve never seen a seedling bleached or damaged by the sun, have you?

 

[hotrodharley]

I’ve never seen a seedling bleached or damaged by the sun, have you?

Damned straight. First seedlings I had under a 105 watt LED. Bleached totally white. Now I invite you to try. Please.

Oh wait. Some idiot brings up the sun? Lol. What the hell does that have to do with this?

 

[zzyx]

Damned straight. First seedlings I had under a 105 watt LED. Bleached totally white. Now I invite you to try. Please.

Pics?