Fix Leggy Seedlings, Chilli Pepper Hack!

In this video we answer the question, "How Deep Should I Bury My Chilli Pepper Seedling when I Pot Up?". You want compact growth for your chilli seedlings. If you want to know how to fix leggy seedlings, then this video is for you!
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[@ChilliChump]

Have you potted up your plants yet this season?

[@SpiritOfTheHeretic]

New plants are about a week away from potting up and my overwintered plants were transplanted back into the garden yesterday ☀

[@thelostone6981]

After you and Pepper Geek did your challenge, I decided to start a little early myself. So yes. But we’ve been hit with so much snow here in Utah, I haven’t been out in the garden to start prepping my beds yet. Which is really weird for me. Yes, I can’t safely plant them until mid May, but my schedule seems all off and I’ve run out of room to start other seedlings. Cheers

[@richardgracews6]

Only the one freak scotch bonnet that was 3 in bigger than all the other pepper plants about 500ish of 70 varieties. Have a good one

[@wyfyj]

1st and 2nd batch has been. Third is getting there. Forth hasn't sprouted. But the hydro project has germinated (same seeds). Probably will have around 60ish seedlings.

[@billmarsh1971]

Four so far, but night time winds and temps still a little harsh for permanent outdoor transplant.

[@BriBlack68]

First time grower this year and your videos are getting me off to a great start. Thank you!

[@paulkerrison3342]

Great advice and you can do it with tomato plants as well. It's why I never worry too much if seedlings get a bit leggy, it's such an easy fix. I've already potted up most of my chilli seedlings into double solo cups. I've got the rest to do this weekend and then wait on a few late germinating ones. I still have 3 varieties that haven't germinated at all which is disappointing but I haven't given up hope on them yet.

[@markzambelli]

I was going to say the same about tomatoes... for the last couple of years I have let my tomato seedlings (in a 10cm x 10cm pot) grow to about 30cm tall before laying them down horizontally for a few days. The growing tip will bend up and grow vertically and when it gets tall enough I them plant them into my shallow-ish rectangular containers, making a trough in the soil so the plant stem lays in it with the root ball at one end. The roots from the stem give rise to a large system and the tomato plants have really good yeild. If I could grow in soil rather than containers I'd plant them really deep instead of doing this horizontal trick but it works well either way.

[@hansz3180]

I do the same thing but up to the 1st leaves. Didn't know you could go that far. Thanks for the tip...

[@jodibraun6383]

Ooh! I've always been told you can't do this with pepper plants! Most of my seedlings are actually pretty healthy this year, but a couple are taller than they ought to be. Good to know that I can fix them! Thank you! 😊

[@simplifygardening]

Perfect t although they don’t root as readily as tomatoes they will root well and stocky sturdy plants much better. Great video and explanation mate

[@steve5x565]

So this works with leggy tomato seedlings as well?

[@ChilliChump]

Yessir

[@murdog04]

I learn something new everyday with this community. Thanks so much Shaun for sharing this with us. I have always kept the dirt level the same when potting up my chili plants even if they were a bit leggy. I always thought it would kill the plan if I buried it deeper. I love this little hack! I most certainly will be using it this year. Thanks again for the awesome video. Stay Spicy! V/R Shane

[@TheNetsrac]

really good advice, thank you very much. I will be repotting my seedlings this weekend, so perfect timing for me 👍🏻🌶

[@R28Caboose]

Really appreciate these short, well presented and informative vids. Thanks from Australia!

[@davidhynd4435]

In my experience you can take this same approach, quite successfully, with any plants from the Solanaceae family. And, to a lesser degree, the "plant deep" approach also works well when planting out brassica seedlings. This is especially applicable for brassicas which support a large mass, such as cabbages or cauliflowers, to help the plant resist being rocked back and forth by the wind. Thanks for the video and the good planting advice.

[@microheavy21]

Good stuff Chump. Haven't needed to pot up mine yet but getting close. Have to say - It's my first season using your seeds and I've never seen germination like it. All plants really healthy and so many ! Will have to give some of them away and spread the word. Thanks for the great channel and great seeds.

[@ChilliChump]

That's great to hear mate, thank you for the kind words. And congrats on a good start to your season!

[@ChilliChump]

Leggy seedlings happen when they are stretching for light. This is better than providing TOO MUCH light, because that can damage your seedlings. And you don't need to worry too much about leggy seedlings, they are easy to fix using the method I show in this video. 🌱Looking for quality chilli pepper seeds? chillichumpseeds.com 🔥🌶Or how about some delicious hot sauce? chillichump.com/shop Sign up to Patreon: www.patreon.com/chillichump Or Join my channel: kzbin.infojoin

[@Stegeln]

Hey man, quick question - how do I avoid giving 'em too much light?

[@ChilliChump]

@Stegeln have a look at this video where I talk about grow lights...and show how much light you should be giving them kzbin.info/www/bejne/eWLGfYWeismZgNE I also have another video coming out next week on this topic

[@davidniemi6553]

I have 2 new bright LED grow lights this year, mounted close to the ceiling, 1.5m above pots which are on tables. In the central area below each light (about a meter in diameter) I keep a close eye on leaves curling up on the sides, as this seems to be a sign of a little too much light (not as serious as sunscald). I move any plants with side curl further out to the periphery, where it is a bit less bright, and they generally recover -- the already-curled leaves are stuck that way but new leaves are fine. I have gotten the grow lights up to 75% so far and hope to have them at 100% before I start serious outdoor hardening off..

[@Reapererebos]

wonderful video Shaun. I have a few leggy plants that will be buried deeper. thank you

[@ericknight69]

I do the same thing with my tomato plants. Good short video.

[@mikek5631]

Great educational video. Been doing this for years. Really helps eliminate any leggy seedlings and as you say it forces out new roots which is always a good thing.

[@ChilliChump]

Thank you. And yes, definitely works well!

[@johnc7292]

I just found you today. Subscribed right away. This video will help me a great deal. Thank you!!

[@ChilliChump]

Welcome aboard John! I'm glad you found my channel.

[@MrMagoo-fq3ti]

I avoid leggy seedlings 🌱 by fixing the light position or exposing to sunlight equally on all sides as you have done in your video series from seeds to harvest, thanks Shaun.

[@ChilliChump]

Definitely best to avoid leggy seedlings in the first place. But you will find that some chilli seedlings will be naturally leggy, even with the perfect amount of light. My Piri Piri do this pretty often.

[@TRUCO7COPAS]

Excelente vídeo Shaun, explicativo e direto. Sou um seguidor seu aqui do Brasil e desde já, deixo um abraço e agradecimento por compartilhar tanta informação. Confesso que nunca imaginei que poderia cobrir o caule da pimenta tão profundo assim, sempre achei que apodrecia. As pimentas aqui se desenvolvem com muita facilidade, acho que deve ser pelo clima, o grande problema por aqui são as pragas, cochonilhas, pulgões e ácaros. Estou aprendendo cada vez mais com seus vídeos, o truque do chá de camomila funcionou muito bem, 93% de germinação. Continue nos ensinando com suas dicas maravilhosas, abraços!

[@johnking-ht5ez]

Nice one thanks Shaun.

[@robwasnj]

Been doing this for years, read in some book though not to bury the stem on peppers, only tomatoes... but it's always worked. Nice to see someone confirm it! Can you bury some of the stem when planting outside in the garden too?

[@amiladybug9526]

Good advice I will have do this two of my chilli

[@wyfyj]

This video made me check my humidity dome. I have one plant forming surface roots. They were leggy anyways, so they were gonna get this treatment. But, it was a good reminder to take the lid off. I was waiting for one more seed to germinate. I won't be using that vendor again. I have 100% germ rate from yours Shaun. And already getting some true leaves. Maybe next week they will be moved to cups. I have started to do what KhangStarr does and bottom water with two "solo" cups. Liking that method. Later I might try and do what Peter Stanley does his wicking process..

[@winstonsizemore2385]

Thanks great information

[@linaso9739]

Last year I bought very tall pots for this exact purpose.

[@sa00287]

Plants always look better after repotting deep. Please can you do a video on light intensity values? I use a free ppfd app on my phone but I am not really sure what to be aiming for and at what stage (assuming the app in reasonably accurate..) I over did the light last year which caused the leaves to curl and then slow growth. I am being more cautious this year but growth is still very slow.

[@ChilliChump]

You're in luck...I've already done one Grow lights kzbin.info/www/bejne/eWLGfYWeismZgNE

[@Craxin01]

I've always done this, but never had a good explanation why. It was something my grandfather told me to do, so that's what I did.

[@idiotbox1981]

I knew you could do this with tomatoes and have had success doing so in years past, but doing this to peppers is new to me. Is there any chance of stem rot if the peppers don't produce roots from the stem?

[@samuelecantarutti383]

All Im taking from this is leggy is good to an extent so I can pot up now as mine look similar to yours

[@ChilliChump]

As long as you are getting something from the vid, I am happy 😊

[@michaelbarrett2346]

Thank you

[@tomreppert1722]

I always new this about tomatoes, but didn't think you could do it with peppers. Sadly, I just repotted all my plants last week.

[@sherriianiro747]

Question - do you remove the lower leaves before planting them deeper?

[@jimw7723]

I've got some that are leggy and starting to get a bit root bound. Normally have potted up and moved them to my little poly tunnel by now. Freaky cold spring

[@Uncle_Buzz]

Leggy usually means not enough light, in my experience. Never occurred to me to plant that much stem, but here we go. Cheers.

[@ChilliChump]

Sometimes you can get leggy plants for other reasons. A few varieties of mine are very "competitive" and try grow really tall to get above the other plants. Noticed with my Piri Piris pretty often.

[@MrMagoo-fq3ti]

Maybe Piri Piri seedlings will start slower or smaller then it will be under the shade of other seedlings?

[@marknicholls7952]

I wish I'd watched this video when first repotting my seedings into their internediate pots. Great tip! However, can I still bury the stem in this way when I repot next into their final pot size?

[@ChilliChump]

Hi Mark, yes you can. Although it is best to do it when they are younger!

[@SullyStuff]

Thanks mate! This has helped me over the years, I guess that’s why it’s good to have access to the paid Discord loads of info available while ur trying to put out info haha.

[@ChilliChump]

I was worried I had already done this video...but realised I hadn't. Is certainly advice I've been giving over the years....just was time to get a quick video out about it for those that are searching for this!

[@themightymustache69]

That’s what I ask my misses, just kidding it’s a good question. I noticed they will pump roots from a decent amount of the stalk

[@robb4044]

Good info. So, when you are growing chilis from seeds, do you just plant deeper than recommended? or go with the general recommendations?

[@ChilliChump]

The seed does get buried any deeper....only the young seedling.

[@-jay2-]

Thanks for another great video! First time grower, and I'm learning lots from you. Question: is there a point when it's too late to use this bury the stem deeper trick? Or is it fine to do this right up to the final potting up?

[@ChilliChump]

Personally I only do it for the first potting up. But it is possible to do it later too with some varieties. However you shouldn't need to if you did things right at the first potting up

[@-jay2-]

@@ChilliChump thanks for the quick reply! I have orange habanero and piri-piri in 10cm diameter pots right now. Was hoping they can stay in those till the final potting up. Would you advise me to get some in-between sized pots (15-20cm) and pot up one more time before final potting up?

[@ChilliChump]

Have a look at this video...will give you more details, help you make a decision kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpeVo3hpoq-Hg5Y

[@-jay2-]

@@ChilliChump thanks, Shaun!

[@jumbuck2846]

Hey King/ viewers of the King - i planted out a tray of seeds on a heat mat and none of them took - the soil felt hot to touch is it possible it became TOO hot?

[@ChilliChump]

It is possible for the soil to be too hot! You want it to be not much higher than 28'C.

[@jumbuck2846]

@@ChilliChump thank you! It felt boiling - just hoping they’re still viable :,(

[@toddronald8753]

Have you ever started Chili plants from cuttings ? Wondering if cloning Chilis is possible !

[@ChilliChump]

It is possible....but not something I do personally.

[@edr9576]

I have done it with Tabasco and habanero. It takes a while and my success rate was about 10%.

[@omarvazquez5613]

@ChilliChump I have a question in regards to stem rot. I know many other plants if buried deep, they can start to rot on the stem due to excess moisture on it. Does this not apply to pepper plants? If it doesn't, why not?

[@ChilliChump]

It does apply to chillies if you are using soil that doesn't have good drainage. If you use well draining soil mix like I show in a few videos then you won't have any problems (take a look at my recent video with the seedling soil experiment)

[@davidniemi6553]

What do you do with chili plants that have broad leaves barely off the ground? Kind of the opposite problem of being too leggy, I see it most with c. chinense varieties.

[@ChilliChump]

That's the ideal growth....so just pot it up to the same level!

[@NoneYaBiz5]

Why do some plants produce roots above the soil line while others will dampen off and die?

[@ChilliChump]

Mainly because if you have it damp the whole time...without any airflow or periods of dry, then they will damp off. If they have a chance to "breathe" then they won't.

[@MaxFeken]

This seems to be a debatable topic. Clearly this works for tomatoes but i haven't had luck with chili plants doing this. I would love to see you pull one of these plants out of the soil as proof (in the science sense - not cause i don't believe you). Not saying that your plants don't thrive but really wanting to see those roots on the stem!

[@ChilliChump]

Sure, happy to show that on a future video

[@mja2239]

Chilli chump, it's been a year. Have you done that video? I don't see it.

[@ChilliChump]

@mja2239 haven't yet potted up to final pots to show on a video

[@dragonguise]

What are the top 5 hardest peppers for you to germinate?

[@G-boi]

This can lead to stem rot which happens to me every now and then so would not recommend personally!

[@ChilliChump]

If you are using soil that doesn't drain well, then you can get stem rot. But if you are using any of my soil mix recipes you won't have any issues

[@andremarais2706]

I always followed you with zeal. When you start posting clickbait titles I am almost gone. Be arrogant and tell me to leave.

[@ChilliChump]

I'm not sure how this counts as clickbait? Clickbait would suggest that I used a title or thumbnail that didn't deliver what I said it would. I have to make the thumbnail and title enticing, else it doesn't matter how good the video is...nobody will click on it. My average click through rate when I use my typical thumbnail is 3.5%. Which means for me to get 1000 people watching my video, the thumbnail needs to be shown to 30,000 people. This video has a click through rate of 8.5%.

[@ChilliChump]

Also...why would I tell you to leave? You can choose what you want to watch. Hopefully you stick around to watch my content because I spend a huge amount of time and effort to make it.

[@andremarais2706]

I like you . A lot. How deep? Really ? was a bridge too far. Greetings and blessings from South Africa. This title was a risk and you know that. it is ill advised. Gnight.

[@furterfrank]

@@andremarais2706 The thumbnail has a picture of a seedling, with arrows pointing at two potential levels that it could be buried to...and the words "How Deep?" on the thumbnail. If you think that is click bait then maybe you just have a dirty mind, or you haven't spent much time on youtube. @ChilliChump I seriously don't know how why you waste time replying to comments like this. Thank you for another excellent video. edit: by the way, I thought the title was a clever and tongue-in-cheek, I love a good double entendre! Plus it asks the exact question I searched for when I found this video