Windowsill Transplants

Perfect picture of 'etoliation.'
What is etoliation? A disorder created when inadequate light is offered to plants, so they are stretching to reach more light. No, this is not good. Short, stocky transplants are the best, over long lanky plants. Taller, is okay if the main stem is stocky and thick. The sketch is of tomato transplants. The one on the left is perfect in stockiness, perfect in plant to container ratio, and plenty big for the garden assuming it has been hardened off. The one on the left could grow in that pot about 7-10 more days and still have a good ratio w/o getting rootbound. The 2 on the right, well....I would definitely plant on their side (trench planting) in the garden, or repot in a deeper pot, sinking them up to the lowest set of leaves (seedling leaves) for about 2 weeks.The best solution is to avoid this in the first place. You need to provide supplemental light, a window sill is not adequate. Using florescent lights is best. You should keep the light 4" above the top of the plants. So either your light should be adjustable (mine are on a chain system) or raise and lower your plant trays, utilizing blocks of wood or inverted plant trays. Light starved plants are also weaker and thinner, less likely to survive the transition outdoors. While under the lights using a small oscillating fan and 'tickling' the plants everyday, will also simulate outdoor conditions and help your plants to grow thicker. You can however avoid all of these issues by purchasing your vegetable transplants from Earthworks Gardens.

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