SIX Reasons Your Seedlings Are Leggy + Solutions

When starting seeds indoors it is very common to get leggy seedlings. In this video, we will discuss the top six reasons your plants are stretching like the rubber band man.
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Thank you all so much for watching and Grow BIG!

[kittiew]

Leggy tomatoes are awesome, Luke, and you can transplant plant deep and create stronger roots. I intentionally do it because I love thick tomatoes. Adventitious roots, peppers have them too. Please review that with viewers 🙏. Most in the nightshade family can do this.

[dustyflats]

There needs to be a set, clearly marked standard on LED lights. I just purchased new LEDs and came to the conclusion to get one the stated the most blue light over red. Choose the whitest light with approximately 4-6K. Blue light is for vegetation and red for flowering. Thanks for mentioning color as it makes choosing easier. It can get complicated and I chose to look at the color spectrum. Many manufacturers won’t state color and Kelvins which makes choosing very difficult.

[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!

[gemarkus]

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

[phoenixrising]

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

[beths]

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

[jamesduncan]

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.

[kimhamilton]

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

[robinmack]

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

[lidip]

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!

[lorrigierman]

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

[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!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[betty]

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.

[skyeangel]

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!

[denisewood]

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.

[ashc]

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

[gardenwitheden]

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

[marylawson]

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!

[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.

[craighalle]

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 YouTube subscribers.