The Poultry Keeper

chickenlicken · Joined: 23 Apr 2005 Posts: 31 Location: France

My new marrow seedlings growing on the kitchen window sill have gone all straggly and leggy. They have two leaves each.................and then about a 3 inch stem. Should I take the top leaves off? This would just leave a stalk with no leaves on. I have put them outside to slow the growth down because it was obviously too warm in the kitchen. Can they be rescued? or have I cream crackered them?
Hazel Crying or Very sad

George · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 5661 Location: London

Don't take the top of ! they'll have nothing to grow from, I would think they should be ok

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

I'm not sure it's down to the heat more likely due to lack of light. Even on a brightly lit windowledge it's not the same as being in a greenhouse (light all round).
Same as George says don't take the tops off, they should strengthen

Aussie Chick · Posted: Tue May 03, 2005 10:54 pm Post subject:

Can you post a picture?
i have heard that you can plant them deep ( almost up to the first leaves), this would eliminate the leggy problem and the stalk will sort of turn into the root! Strange but apparently true.
Good luck,
AC

nigel · Posted: Wed May 04, 2005 6:41 am Post subject:

I think you're right Aussie Chick, Marrows can develop roots from the stem (like tomatoes and peppers) so if they do get leggy from a lack of light, just plant them deep. You end up with a bigger root system and a stronger plant.

nigel

Lisa · Posted: Wed May 04, 2005 7:27 am Post subject:

Another vote for "plant a bit deeper" Very Happy

I've done it with courgettes, and marrows are basically the same kinda plant. Just go easy round the stem when you plant them so you don't damage it.

chickenlicken · Joined: 23 Apr 2005 Posts: 31 Location: France

fantastic!
Thanks guys..............I'm going to transplant them into grow bags today.............so will plant them nice and deep
Hopefully photo to follow!
Love Hazel

nigel · Posted: Wed May 04, 2005 10:12 am Post subject:

to give them even more root room you can use two grow-bags stacked on top of each other..

Aussie Chick · Posted: Wed May 04, 2005 10:18 am Post subject:

Oh Nigel, thats what I have done down on my lottie for my Toms and Peppers. They love it. have you been reading the same gardening forum as me?
AC

nigel · Posted: Wed May 04, 2005 10:47 am Post subject:

I read the The Kitchen Garden Forum and the Organic UK Forum

but I'm open to others if there are some goods ones out there

Heather · Posted: Wed May 04, 2005 11:22 am Post subject:

Aussie Chick · Posted: Wed May 04, 2005 12:02 pm Post subject:

www.allotments4all.co.uk is a good one too.

If you put it on its side, what stops it from falling over?

Heather · Posted: Wed May 04, 2005 12:29 pm Post subject:

It just kind of 'slumps down' if that makes sense - like a bag of compost does if you stand it on end instead of flat.

Just a way of making the grobag deeper if the plant doesn't actually need more compost

HTH

Heather

Aussie Chick · Posted: Wed May 04, 2005 12:35 pm Post subject:

Mmmm, might try that I still have a few tomatoes to go in.
Thanks.