SIX Reasons Your Seedlings Are Leggy + Solutions

[@homeatlaska]

This really does help, thank you. Leggy sprouts are my #1 problem, and I really don't have room to fail at growing a garden this year. Thank you so much!

[@joemachismo6594]

My number 1 problem causing leggy seedlings in past years was having my grow lights to far above the trays.

[@kevinrussellcreations]

@@joemachismo6594 This is the main cause. After years of sprouting I keep my starters just inches below a 4 foot worksop light with 2 - 40 watt tubes. Works like a charm. They handle what heat is there but I do have to water a little more often.

[@vendettaworm6185]

​@Kevin Russell New to starting seeds indoors and my spinich is getting leggy. I'll move the light a little closer. Ty!

[@aidaplplmiddleton5452]

​@@kevinrussellcreations5:57

[@gemarkus7295]

You always have the BEST advice and explain things in a way that most people can't. Well done and thank you!

[@robinmack6493]

Finally! I've been looking for this information to solve my seedling problem. So happy I found this video. Thank you!

[@phoenixrising976]

I sooo needed this... Thank you-Thank you!! I have had these very issues!! This year, I hope to be ready for spring 🙏

[@lorrigierman7089]

Excellent video! Thank you for making the lighting requirements easier to understand.

[@denisewood75]

I have learned so much already. I paused the video to say thank you. I am challenging myself to build my 4 raised beds and 3 flower beds by seed this year.

[@kimhamilton9069]

Thank you for the information about how far to keep seedlings from light fixtures and how to figure that out!

[@betty8173]

Thank you! I just moved to zone 6 or 7 from Florida. I have always planted outside, even my baby trays. So, this is very timely! I used to watch you, but in Florida, I watched David the Good. But now, I need cold weather advice, so, thank you. Thank you.

[@mompuff]

Luke thank you so much!! Just what I needed 🤗🤗 Is my first year I’m growing from seed!! I got all my seed from your shop!! Impressive varieties!! God Bless you!! 🙌🏻🦋🙌🏻 Keep teaching us!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@lidip8700]

Request, please consider doing a video of growing some veggies like cherry tomatoes, lettuces, spinach& potatoes etc indoors throughout the winter months, in containers. Thank again Luke! You're a wealth of information & your videos are always such an enjoyable part of my day!! Blessings to you!

[@ashc8850]

Wow he started his growing season so early! I'm glad to be back watching this channel!

[@marylawson2551]

Great information all in one video! I've been a fairly successful seed starter for several years, but I'd never seen such a comprehensive discussion of lumens and kelvin. I will be making sure that the new lights I just purchased are the best for my seedlings. Thank you!

[@skyeangel07]

Anyone making videos, should explain things like you! You didn’t assume your viewer knew what you were talking about. You broke it down in a simple and understandable and informative way! Thanks for making this!

[@LB-vl3qn]

Excellent presentation of info that is generally considered too technical and boring to merit attention. Thanks for making it easy to understand. Well done! ~ Lisa

[@maggiejohnson4056]

I am a newbie to your channel & am very happy to have found it. I've been looking & reading & trying to decide what type of grow lights to buy as this is my first time venture into starting seeds. This was very helpful, thank you!

[@deannalesher2982]

I know it’s silly - but I love that intro music. For me, gardening is relaxing and that ditty just sets the right tone for me. Good info also. Thank you!

[@MIgardener]

So glad you like it! We love it too. :)

[@craighalle7892]

Suddenly I feel smart! I have addressed and dealt with every issue you brought up and have succeeded. I do only have my shop lights on for 9 hours with the timer. They are 6000 lumens and that seems to be enough time. My tomatoes, onions, basal, zinnias and peppers do great. I don't know if you remember the mini greenhouse with wire shelving you showed us, but I use 2 of them end to end to seed start without the plastic cover. To adjust the seed planter height I use empty distilled water boxes which can be stacked different ways for different heights. I use empty plastic bird seed bags to protect boxes from the water. I'm sure you all know flexibility and ingenuity get you where you need to be to grow big. I've been blessed! May the Lord keep blessing you and yours. Remember I sure do love you. You are like the younger brother I wish I had. PS: Luke I don't know if I mentioned this, but if you get a chance to fish family style or individually, with Jimmy Houston and Daniel Arms go for it. It would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and might even give you more KZbin subscribers.

[@rwind656]

@Craig Halle Can you find the video with the "mini greenhouse with wire shelving" please? TY.

[@craighalle7892]

@@rwind656 if you go to the Migardener KZbin channel and search for "mini greenhouse" it will come up.

[@apostatejim2080]

Wow, that was a really helpful upload. I had been misusing my grow mat and will be calculating the correct light height now. Thank You.

[@mother8576]

Thank you Luke for all the information your putting out lately

[@robertchaffee5662]

My Lettuce seeds I purchased from you 2 weeks ago sprouted in 3 days just like you said they would. Cold season crops growing outdoors here in Florida.

[@beths8998]

Thank you so much Luke! I have been taking notes this year. Super excellent content as always.

[@briannapatrick5863]

This was so extremely helpful! I’m still new to growing seedlings. I started last year and had some luck but wasn’t as good as it should have been. I had purchased bulbs from homedepot and they just were not strong enough. This year I purchase lights from Gardner’s Supply. Fingers crossed things are more productive this year! Thank you again for putting out all of this information!

[@dvssayer5621]

I got the 4ft full spectrum grow lights from home depot, about $70 ea and they are so bright and the seedlings are loving it!!! There are switches for 3 kinds of light but idk what that is for ( wish I did) theres red light blue light and white...but I just leave them all on!

[@jamesduncan3673]

I'm using basic Walmart 4' LED shop lights. They're 5,000 lumens and 5,000k, so ideal for basic seed starting, and they're only about $20.00 each. The only drawback is they can't be daisy-chained, so I needed to add a power strip to my timer. But they do come with their own chains, so height can be adjusted. This is my second year using this system, and they've been working really well for me.

[@bandzstreams]

I'm using the exact same shop lights! I found that my soil is drying out way too fast because I have them too close.

[@Itried20takennames]

I have heard that if you search specifically for “plant” or even worse “grow” lights, the prices are way higher than if you just look for lights that have sufficient lumens and other characteristics.

[@myjunkmail007]

So you don't need actual "grow" lights? Will any sort of light work? What features do you need? Color, lumen, etc...

[@jamesduncan3673]

​@@myjunkmail007 If you're just starting seeds, you really only need kelvin (color) and lumens (brightness). Also, LEDs are preferred because they don't generate much heat, although fluorescent or CFL will work. I've heard recommendations as low as 4,000k for color, but generally a higher range of 5,000-6,000k is recommended. If no kelvin rating is given, you want daylight rather than soft white. For brightness I've heard you can go as low as 2,000 lumens. If you do that, though, you have to keep the lights close to the plants, so you will be constantly adjusting their height. That's part of why I'm using 5,000 lumen shop lights. They're not as sensitive to the distance.

[@AmysAttitude]

Those lights are great and actually we use them in our dog daycare and boarding kennel. We've been using them for about 3 years now and only have had to replace 1 so far. I'm interested in grow lights but I come from a long line of gardeners who never used them and I still don't but wondering if I should start.

[@A347baker]

Great info. Its my first year completed, and it was successful. Your videos help a lot. I started last year with starts, but this year I'll try starting seeds.

[@thetommantom]

I've had the best luck when planting the latest possible in the season and let them harden into the winter

[@murphln]

Thanks 💚 Luke. I'm having this problem with my spinach seeds.

[@dvssayer5621]

Thank you so much, your the best garden teacher! All the little details count so much!

[@grammym1643]

This was very helpful! I left the heat mat on!

[@roryroarasaur]

This video was prefect for me. I am a new gardener growing my first lettuce plants right now and they look exactly like that! Thank you for the info!

[@curtdunlap6818]

Luke, I have had pretty good luck "replanting" leggy seedlings by pricking the plant out complete with the roots and replanting it deeper into the cell or into a bigger cell. The trick is to get the stem (it should be pretty flexible) down deeper in the cell without kinking it too much and packing the potting mix in around it giving more the plant more support. In some cases, Ive looped the stem down into the soil after burrowing out a bigger hole! This worked especially well for my tomato plants. I had no idea about grow lights and had spindly almost everything! This trick saved me a bunch of plants. This year, I'm armed with twin tube 24W 6500K 3000 Lumen LED shop lights with the reflective surface inserts that you shared in one of your other recent videos! No leggys for me! Thanks for the tips!

[@mfarmer2112]

Thank you Luke that was the best lighting tutorial I've come across. 🌱🌻🕊

[@alisonwarner7555]

Thank you so much! I needed to know to turn the heat mat off after the seeds sprout. I wondered if the heat would affect the plant but I live in the Phoenix AZ area so 90 degrees is nothing around here.

[@KR-ke4lz]

Thanks for another video packed with great information! We appreciate the time you take to share your knowledge with others.

[@ldubel5922]

I prefer this video to all the rest I've seen. I like how there's a list of factors that affects stretching.

[@grannygct]

Luke, as always, great video. Now I understand what leggy is all about. I am starting a new tray based on what you said. Hope my seedlings will look much better and not stretched out. Got to do it right! Thank you for the explanation. Happy Holidays!

[@PhiksuPlantBiologist]

Great video and good advice! I might add that every plant is an individual with different individual growth conditions. I was surprised recently to learn that lavender hates fertile soil. 😅

[@lovemittenmama3197]

Thank you for explaining in depth the lighting for seedlings. I've been going crazy trying to give them enough light.

[@marilynboling1164]

Your videos are very detailed with excellent information well explained. Thank you so much.

[@mrs.t4382]

Well explained, Luke, thank you. One of my son’s name is Luke and he likes to help me in the garden.

[@kull8713]

EXCELLENT information! Thank you so very much- old time gardener and still continue to learn.

[@rosebayer114]

Great video Luke. I always learn a few things from each of your videos. You should see the amount of notes I have lol. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and experience with us. 😊

[@gardenwitheden]

Thank you for making videos like these, 😄😄 you've inspired me to start my own gardening channel 😃

[@suereaume97]

Thought I needed all that. Thanks for clarifying. Watch you all the time. Glad you are in Michigan.

[@stevebaker8322]

Thanks for shedding some light on leggy seedlings Luke. I had issues with that last season. With your help, I feel I can grow bigger this upcoming season.

[@reedjasonf]

"Shedding some light" - nice pun for this video.

[@MelodyKugel]

THANK YOU!!!!! So helpful! 🎉

[@JohnWood-tk1ge]

I learn something new with each video and I have fifty plus years gardening.

[@alicialawler5040]

Great video! You explained it well and it was easy to understand!

[@PaulWhitcomb-ty6md]

This was very instructive. I though that I had planted the seeds not deeply-enough. Now, I see that it is probably a matter of not having the seedlings close enough to the light. I just moved them closer.

[@lisajansson4157]

Great info, now I know what I did wrong last year. Thanks so much.

[@lovewins8238]

This is my go to video for a refresher on growing from seeds. Thanks Luke!

[@jessidutton3441]

Is bottom watering a good idea in your opinion? It sure is easier... You're a fantastic teacher! Thanks!

[@brittanyw1817]

His last video covered this. Yes he recommends

[@Rdlock24]

Good tips, i am a beginning gardener and am growing seedlings in my dining room in front of an east facing window. I have 2 trays of seedlings, most are leggy some are not. My grow lights are set to come on for 8 hours a day and a fan on low speed blowing over them. After watching this video I think my issue is not watering enough and now maybe i should increase the time the lights are on.

[@mirandab5086]

Thanks for the info. I planted my seeds on Sunday in plastic containers with the lids on. Checked on them today and they sprouted already 3 days later. Some are leggy. I'm like wtf it hasn't been 7 days yet. Just out them outside for some sunlight since there was still condensation inside the containers so doubt they need more water.

[@isabelb.5000]

Oh my Gosh, you just solved my problem! I thought I was doing everything right and I pretty much did, except that I kept my heat mat on for days after the seeds germinated. Will be turning it off right now! Thank you so so much for a great video! Will be watching the video on the proper use of heat mats next. I really appreciate your advice and great videos.

[@waterbuckethomestead]

Thank you for this helpful video! I have definitely made a few of these mistakes.

[@lorvin5673]

This was a great video - thanks for doing it...

[@seanalexander2420]

Great tips! Thanks Luke.

[@brgovender8879]

Thanks for sharing. Makes alot of sense. But i was growing them outside in a 40 percent shade house. But i think the tree nearby cut out the sunlight too quick and the seedlings didn't get enough sunlight. But will definitely try again keeping in mind some of your tips. Will move the shade house away from the tree. Thanks Bobby from South Africa.

[@silviag.2871]

Thank you you explain everything really clear. Now I understand better why I have some leggy plants

[@scottstw456]

This was very informative, thank you

[@brianjohnston4207]

I had about 75 leggy Kohlrabi seedlings and I just buried them 3/4 of the way down leaving a 1/2" or so exposed below the leaves. I planted them a couple weeks ago and they seem to be doing good. They're growing slowly due to weather but they are still alive.

[@alicewhitley6441]

Luke thanks so much for the leggy plants video. I planted spinach, which is in a garden bed on wheels. I cover it due to the cold weather but I noticed it started being leggy. I try to keep it watered. But I noticed it was dry before too. This info really helped!

[@WilReid]

Tx is the diameter of a fluorescent tube where x is the number of 1/8's of an inch it is. T5 is 5/8 or 0.625". T8 is 8/8 or 1". T12 is 12/8 or 1.5" diameter. T4 are half inch almost mini bulbs. T5 are often HO or high output. T12 VHO (very high output) used to be very common grow lights for aquariums. T8 was the standard for decades for house, shop, and business lighting but they were eventually phased out for T5s and now LEDs are getting to be everywhere. The most dangerous aspect of some old T5s was mercury contamination when broken. Mfgs addressed that as the tubes were becoming more common in homes by using different chemicals.

[@janelupo6023]

Really appreciate this, Luke! Thank you so much! 👍

[@jimtierney3122]

Cheap metal shirt hangers are great to re-use too. Very flexible and can easily change the height.

[@sabrinah6968]

This is the best and most useful explanation I've lighting I've seen, thank you! Can you please post links to your light fixtures and bulbs? Or add them to your Amazon shop?

[@waynehughes9446]

Mate I Wish I'd found this Vid a long time ago. Absolutely Gr8 Presentation So much information very well done. Cheers

[@seablue140]

Thank you so much. This was very thorough information. I've never used grow lights and I do have leggy seedlings. I've got the fan I've got the right lights I've got the right moisture. I've got the right soil but I think they are too far away from the lights for the strength of lumens so I'm going to move them up and see if I can salvage them. Thanks again. 😃👍🏻

[@shannabanana7390]

Thank you. I love the way you explain things.

[@skival]

This was very helpful, thank you.

[@farfromhomeDotnet]

Thanks, I learned a few new things.

[@EzekielsCall]

Thank you very much . Lot's of very helpful info. The lighting always confused me, so I really appreciate you explaining all of that.

[@terrymenz5838]

Thanks for this video! We had seedlings already sprouted in our greenhouse when we had that really cold freeze in December. We were frantic to keep temps above freezing and did all we could including putting the seedlings on the heat mat. That saved them the first night when the interior temp went into the 20s. not all the plants were so fortunate. I realize I now need to unplug the mat. Also, we were not sure how long to run the grow lights since it is a greenhouse, but we compromise and run it in late afternoon to extend the daylight, essentially giving them 16 hours of light.

[@lts30000]

We bent 20 ft poles into a 32ft long hop house w/ roll ups. Any help you could get me in selecting layout for lights would be much appreciated. My planning is Grand solar minimum, more Ash airborne. GSM is the four hundred yr cycle that all societies so far have perished on. Judge accordingly however, our weakening magnetosphere or too much ash up here... Best of luck with much skill all....

[@wilmasgarden3098]

Just asked this question on today's video, and this pops up. Awesome

[@MIgardener]

Hope you enjoyed it!

[@marytymoshuk7176]

Excellent post! Thank you.

[@catladycatlady7359]

CFL (compact fluorescent) is NOT a long tube light to fit in a T8 fixture like you show, it's a small spiral, screw in type bulb made for lamps. 🤔 I run a 4 bulb shop light T8 on a timer. The bulbs are alternating between a daylight balance and grow bulb. I run my lights proximately 3 fingers above the top of my plants. I grow in a cold basement so the heat from the lights is not an issue. I also have insulated reflective material on the wall side of the plant rack. My heat mat is reserved for germination only. They are checked on multiple times a day and removed when they have started coming up & put right under the lights immediately. I have a tower fan that oscillates I turn on several times a day on a timer to help train the plants to deal with wind & provide good ventilation because it's a damp basement.

[@brucehepper2448]

2 things you wanna make sure you get enough hours of light When you start them. And another thing with the lankiness I start them in cups and push them down backfill that works

[@Aidan.17]

Starting seedlings inside is a game changer. So many years we lost so many seedlings due to slugs and snails. Last year I used a T5 with grow light bulbs (from old aquarium) and had success but plants were a bit leggy. They broke so I invested in a UFO 120 x LED 100w 6000k 460NM 10,000LM RA 70 for $39 and this year I noticed stems on the tomato seedlings are much thicker and second set of leaves arrived with hardly any reach at all. No fancy spectrums required just high luminosity!

[@tinab7791]

I've done a lot of growing back in the day with high pressure sodium. LEDs were a real game changer.

[@sophiophile]

Isn't HPS a lot brighter and cheaper? Or has 1000W equivalent of good growing LEDs come down in price enough to match. Starting seedlings you don't need a lot of light though.

[@dande9981]

i have cheap shoplights and they work great!

[@clb50]

When do we want to start using the lights? Do we use only after germinating?

[@mantisman230]

LEDs are also safer for plants to come in contact with, as they are much cooler to the touch. Fluorescent bulbs can fry anything that gets too close.

[@stephencline1884]

I recommend using only white LED grow lights. I have other LED grow lights with various colors mixed in while you plants will grow they don't seen to do as well as the ones with all white LEDS.

[@lidip8700]

I learn sooo much from your videos Luke. And hey, I received my first large shipment of seeds for this season today! Because of your informative videos, I feel confident enough to expand my gardening! This will be my first time growing Jicamas, radishes & different types of lettuces & more varieties of tomatoes. I brought my Carolina Reapers, Ghosts, Lunchboxes, Jalapeños & Bannna pepper plants indoors as you suggested so I'm sooo ready to get them back in the garden. I followed your advice & they've all done really well.

[@kathysutphen9698]

Thank you Luke! Great information. Some of it I knew but some of it was very helpful. I will have non-leggy seedlings this year! 😁

[@Darkice77]

I bought a Miracle berry plant off the internet several years ago for around a hundred bucks. The berries make everything tase super sweet because they have a protein that binds to your tongue which blocks all other flavors. The sensation lasts about 30 minutes or so. They are self fertilizing and the berries so far have 100% produced new plants. I notice when i have them inside to sprout them, they get leggy. Even though they are right on the window sill. But outside they germinate and perfectly. My double pane windows must be blocking some of the light they need.

[@edharris5714]

Thank you very much for sharing your experience. How many hours a day the fan should be on the plants, please.

[@VeonySyndrome]

planted some seeds i got from u like 4 yrs ago. so excited. ur a really funny guy xD kind of a dork lol. loved this video and the way you explain things is super entertaining lmao and easy to get. your videos are so helpful

[@pedromunoz4468]

Thank you

[@DIGardening]

This was very helpful. I was making 3 of these mistakes

[@davefranklyn7730]

Okay, so there is no saving leggy seedlings? Could you replant them keeping the long stems under the soil?

[@OffGridInvestor]

I used to work with professional seed developers. They used to plant them again deeper. Not the best but better than nothing. This method works well with many trees though.

[@cynthialucidi9997]

Hi Luke, thanks again for another great video! I see that you’re growing your seeds in the garage in Michigan. What’s the temperature of your garage? What temperature do you recommend growing seedlings in?? I’m planning to try mine in the basement under a seedling heating mat, but am not sure they’ll like the air temperature in the 50s-60s in the cool basement. Thanks!!

[@jellybean378]

This was very informative. I’m rather knew to this and it was so helpful. Thank you!

[@travisfarmer9718]

I've got a seed mat with a soil probe and a thermostat set at 75 degrees. Would this be considered an issue?

[@jamiescountryliving]

Thank you for sharing your information. . Very helpful. Ugh, I just had to transplant some leggy seedlings.. moved them closer to the lights 🤞🤞

[@coriding]

Awesome video, thanks Luke! There are Watt to lumen calculators, but here's a quick summary ( 1 watt to lumens: [Incandescent: 15 lumens], [Halogen: 23 lumens], [CFL: 50 lumens], [LED: 90 Lumens]. For example, if you have an old inefficient 60 Watt incandescent bulb, the calculation would be: 60 (watts) * 15 (incandescent lumens per watt) = 900 lumens. Two would only be 1800 lumens, and 3 would be 2700 lumens. You would probably want 3 of them to get above the 2000 lumens for incandescent bulbs.

[@EliMacalikova]

Hi Luke, do you still grow basil in that hydroponic box you made? Are you still growing the old plants, or you have to replant with new ones, after few cuttings? Thanks. 💚

[@sophiophile]

Wasn't that the Epic Gardiner who did that. I don't think I've ever seen Luke do hydroponics

[@EliMacalikova]

@@sophiophile I know hes got this huge box in his garage, that is full of basil, or at least was. That was kinda long time ago, when he showed that. I do think it was hydroponics, i could be wrong ofc. Still, im curious to know if he has still the same plants and just cutting them for sale or he has to change them after some time. :)

[@sandrarichardson2713]

Hmmm....that was great info about the daylight or white light being a must instead of the warm light bulbs. Do you ever discuss planting by the moon for above ground and below ground crops? I try to attend to that. I think it makes a difference somewhat. Thanks again. Jesus bless.

[@koltoncrane3099]

One thing I got but few ever talk about are those chicken grow lights. I have four chicken heat lights and used two more for tortoises. I seen there are some light bulbs for plant growing that you can screw into lights used for chicks. That setup might be good to mention if it’s bad or not as lots of people that grow plants may also raise chicks for the spring.

[@koltoncrane3099]

I checked it out and I guess the ones I got a year ago are only 900 lumen. But I’ll leave a link to show the type of light bulb I was meaning that’d fit into a chicken heat light.

[@kathrinecampbell9292]

I have learned so much from your videos!

[@gardenstatesowandsew]

Thank you. This helps a lot