Growing plants is undoubtedly an interesting task for novice gardeners as well as for seasoned ones. Plants are grown through various ways- seeds, stem cuttings, and many other ways. Each method has its limitations and advantages. When growing plants from seeds, you may face the problem of seedlings falling over, which may happen due to several reasons discussed later in the blog. This blog is all about the reasons for seedlings falling over, the symptoms that reflect issues with the planting method or deficiency of nutrients, and the solution to the problem.
Why Do Seedlings Fall?
The first few weeks after the seeds are sown are the most vulnerable period for them. This is because seedlings are small, very sensitive, and prone to overheating, fungal infections, and deficient in nutrients. You should keep a close watch on the seedlings to notice any symptoms like seedling fallings, yellow or brown tips of the leaves, curly leaves, etc, for early identification of problems with seedlings. If any of these symptoms are seen, gear up to fix the problems at the earliest for healthy plant growth. The other seedling problems and the symptoms are discussed below:
Reason for Falling Seedlings
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Damping Off (Fungal Disease)- This is a fungal disease that is harmful to the plants as it affects the stems near the soil surface. The symptoms are falling seedlings and withering.
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Excess Moisture- The main culprit for causing damping off in the seedlings is overfeeding or overwatering.
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Insufficient Light- Lack of proper lighting is yet another reason for seedlings falling over. The best way to give them enough light is to avoid early-season transplants outdoors and place them where they get direct sunlight.
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Improper Planting of Seeds- Shallow seed planting could also be the reason for falling seedlings. So, the effective way is to plant seeds deeply into the soil to ensure they get support at the stem for robust growth. It’s advisable not to plant the seed too deeply because the seedling may not sprout.
| Some Tips | Plant seeds 2-3 times deeper than their diameter as a general rule of thumb. Also, research on the type of seed and the recommended planting depth is necessary because not all seeds are sown at the same depth. |
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Loose Soil- If the potting mix is dry or loose, seedlings may not get the desired support to hold the roots firmly. Proper research is needed to understand the type of potting required for the seed you choose.
Solution for Falling Seedlings
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When seedlings get infected with damping off, it means the cure phase has crossed. However, it can surely be prevented.
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Once you sow the seeds, sprinkle sphagnum peat moss on top of the soil. The alternate planting medium can also be used to absorb excess moisture.
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Always use fertilizer on seedlings that is specially meant for the early growth stage.
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Avoid overfeeding of nutrients to seedlings. The best way to ensure just enough nutrients is to follow the recommended dilution rates.
Can Overwatering Be the Cause of Seedlings Falling Over?
Yes, overwatering can be a reason for falling over seedlings. A condition known as “Epinasty” occurs in seedlings, which is an indication of overwatering. Epinasty is a condition in which the root zone becomes oxygen-limited and releases ethylene gas. Epinasty can also occur due to other reasons- if you heat the area with propane or natural gas, where seeds are grown and germinated, the heater may release unburned gas to which the seedlings may react adversely.
Many gardeners tend to get confused and presume “Epinasty” as “Wilt” and start watering the seedlings more. As a result, the problem gets worse because you may start watering more frequently than needed. As the root system is not fully developed, it is unable to take up extra water. The seedlings just need enough water to maintain moist soil.
Conclusion
Growing plants requires detailed research on the variety of seeds planted, the planting depth, watering requirements, and many more criteria discussed in the blog. A common problem faced by many gardeners is “seedling falling over”. The reason for this is multiple. All you have to do is identify the actual cause of the problem and fix it as soon as possible, and prevent further problems.