Pepper seedlings spindly and weak, any suggestions?

I started my pepper seedlings as the package suggested about 8 weeks before I planned to put them out (first week of May). They are under grow lights, along with all my other seedlings. I have an assortment of grow lights, two freestanding lamps, 1 long full spectrum light that is closer to seedlings, and I outfitted all the sockets in my dining room chandelier with grow bulbs (they are a bit higher up than the other lights). Plus a sunny window, when it actually is sunny.


The tomatoes are great and strong, as is most everything else except the peppers. They are between 3-5 in. tall with long weak slender stems. Most only have one set of true leaves. Is there anything I can do to make them have stronger stems?


I started everything in flats and transplanted about a week and a half ago into individual paper cups. At the time I moved them, I potted them right up to their leaves b/c I could already see they were getting leggy.


Any suggestions would help.


Thanks.

Pepper seedlings spindly and weak, any suggestions?
miracle grow
Reply:I would use some "Miracle Grow" on them.
Reply:Have you checked your soil temperature? You want to maintain warm temps for peppers, at approximately 75-80 degrees. You can buy a soil thermometer and heat mats.





Also, how many seedlings do you have in the paper cups? At 3-5" height, you don't want alot of seedlings crowding the roots.





In addition, if you have them under the chandelier lighting they're probably too far away, causing spindly growth.





By the way, pepper seedlings tend to grow at a slower rate than tomato seedlings.





Here's a link to a great site on growing peppers from seeds.





Good luck!

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