If it's not too late, I agree with tapla--add drainage holes ASAP. Sounds like you might be struggling with a commonly-known problem called damping off--sometimes, it waits until the sprouts are up, and then the region of the stem right next to the soil turns brown and shrivels and the whole thing keels over. Other times, it just inhibits the growth of the seed before it even gets to that point. Either way, it's obviously fatal to the seeds/seedlings. All might not be lost though: if you can get some of the excess water off, there are a few techniques, all of which I have used with success, at preventing damp-off. The first is to brew yourself a nice cup of chamomile tea. Remove and save the teabag. Sweeten to taste, and enjoy. Now, take that used teabag, and make a weak tea. Dilute it to tepid temperature and use it in a spray bottle to soak the surface of the seed-starting medium. I successfully grew begonias using this method--and they're INFAMOUS for damp-off. Most can't keep the surface of the soil damp enough until the plants are big enough to water from the bottom, but spraying the surface works perfectly for the dust-size, surface-sown seeds. It also works for tomatoes, peppers, herbs and the like, but may take more sprays to adequately soak. I have also made garlic "tea" and used that to water plants. It is antifungal and antimicrobial, but it doesn't smell as sweet as the chamomile. Works like a charm for me, though! Finally, you can sprinkle some cinnamon on the surface. I haven't tried making a cinnamon tea, but I would think that should work too. The thing I really like about the spraying method, particularly for small seeds in alot of soil, is that you can wet the area where the seeds are, instead of needing to soak all the soil. If the seeds in these kits are planted in the pot they're to eventually call home, it's usually going to be so much soil that keeping it evenly moist will cause exactly what is happening to you. Gotta get going with the drainage part, though. I HATE it when kits don't have the right stuff! If you can't add drainage holes, at least put some wicks in to help evaporate--strips of newspaper sticking out will wick moisture up and out of the soil so it can dry a bit--it won't look pretty, but it'll get the job done. Also, maybe turn a fan on low and direct it (not TOO close) over the soil. Good luck and let us know how it turns out!

Hi there - congratulations! ;) Over on the Growing from Seed forum you will find several FAQ posted that take you through the process step-by-step of what to do next. Light! lots of it is the next step as they are already getting leggy. Use the florescent lamp no more than 2" above the plants. They cannot tolerate direct sun as this stage. Once true leaves develop they will each have to be transplanted to individual cup containers. Good luck! Dave

Think of plant babies as you would human babies. They need protection from the harshest of the sun's rays, or they'll burn easily. They need room to move around a bit (those pots are totally useless for growing things in - think BIG when you think of herbs). Feed them too much or overwater/underwater and they'll keel over in no time flat. However, as with human babies, don't be tempted to mollycoddle them too much, except in the very early stages, which yours are now. Give them sunlight, but make it morning sun, and protect them in the afternoons, gradually giving them more and more time until they can take full sun all day every day. You'll know when they're ready for this - they won't get so sunburnt, and they'll be fairly well grown, and you'll probably be cutting their hair (harvesting). What they need most of all is good drainage. A teensy pot will need watering every day, but a larger pot may need watering only every few days. But any excess water must be allowed to drain away quickly.

You didn't state your zone, so could be that they're drying out too much or too hot of roots in the pots. Try growing them directly in the ground or transplanting them to the ground sooner. They need nutrients & room for roots to spread. If they dry out in the pots they're toast. I grew herbs in pots for years, but with limited results from seeds. Used a variety of pots small & large, plastic, clay, glazed, metal tea pots, etc. Once I moved those same herbs into the ground WOW they spread a lot & the flavor improved. Probably because the plants were healthier. I've kept some in pots just for looks, but they're not thriving. The ones in the largest pots do okay. Oregano is growing well in a metal colander & a large steamer like you'd use for clams or pasta. Kind of funky, but I like the electic look. Also, have parsley in a plastic pot inside a large enamel pot with a tea cup & saucer on top as well as a large kitchen spoon & server holding the lid off to the side.