So they just need a lot of sun, not really necessary to buy the lights. I guess that explains why a few of my African daisies are a bit limpy. Will they get stronger if I introduce them to more sun light?

Thank you for introducing me to the FAQs board, I'll check it out.

No once limpy they don't improve and the plants circulatory system remains compromised throughout the season. That's why it is so important to prevent it in the first place.

<So they just need a lot of sun, not really necessary to buy the lights. >

Unfortunately most discover that it is indeed necessary to buy lights as explained in the FAQs. Simply because the sun this time of year is not available for the number of hours required for healthy seedlings, nor is it intense enough nor the right spectrum. The nature of sunlight changes greatly once we reach the equinox.

Nor does window light work as it only decreases it even more, even with just plain glass. Nor can they spend much time outside right now due to weather. A lesson many first time growers have learned the hard way.

So yes, for all practical purposes, assuming quality plants is the goal, when germinating plants from seed indoors, supplemental lighting is required. Even in the greenhouses we have to use supplemental lighting this time of year. Otherwise you might as well just direct seed them outdoors at the proper planting time.

If lesser quality, health compromised plants is acceptable then you can pass on the lights. For most of us, given the time and money involved, such plants are not acceptable.

Dave

What does limp mean exactly? I have a few African Daisies seedlings that are too heavy to stay up, but once they get bigger they remain upright. I'll post a few pics, could you tell me your thoughts on them?

I mean if they grow their true leaves, doesn't that mean they're doing fine?

Those in the middle are the ones I think are a bit limpy.

You seem to have sown different seeds within single modules. You will need to cut them apart as they grow because not all your plants grow at the same rate or need the same conditions.

All the seedlings in the photograph are rather etiolated i.e. they need more light.

It means the stems are stretched (aka leggy, etiolated when pale or yellow) disproportionate to the amount and size of top growth. This stretching is due to "reaching" for/seeking light. Not only can they not support the weight of the top growth as it develops, they cannot adequately provide it with nutrients and water. The cellular structure of the stretched stem becomes distorted, twisted, resulting in sluggish circulation at best.

You can see it easily in most all your plants. The stems are easily 3-4x the height of normal seedlings, 3-4x as tall as the tops are wide even at this point. And the situation will only get worse, get more imbalanced until the plant stem finally breaks.

You can Google any of these terms for many photos and much information but you can't get around the need for adequate light. It is the single most important factor when growing plants indoors. Which is why as I said above, even in the greenhouse with all sun exposure it has we still have to use supplemental fluorescent lighting for growing seedlings.

Leggy plants

Thank you for all the help, I've only got a few questions left. Do you think I should I start over? and would it be better to buy florescent lights now and try again with the inside garden, or start my garden outside since it's warming up? And if I do start my garden outside will they become leggy while trying to reach for the sun?