Hi Judy, What kind of soil are you using? You seem to have the right height with your light fixtures, and not having a fan blowing over them shouldn't cause the extreme weakness you are experiencing. It does sound like damping off to me. Are you getting them to the lights as soon as they germinate? I have lights over my heating bed...so the plants immediately get light on them...and that light is about 6-8 inches away from them and I see no negative effect on them. Maybe you're getting some legginess if you have some lag time between them germinating and you getting lights over them? As for transplanting, I tend to bury them somewhat deep as well. I won't cover the crown of the plant, but alot of the stem is buried....has worked great for me. I think you can see this with your lettuce plants. Oh, and I hardly wait for the first true leaves. It is easier for me to get them out of the germinating pot(4")when the roots aren't so intermingled. As soon as I can handle them...out they come. This seems to work much better for the plants...I lose very few in this manner....and I think it stresses them less. As for the spinach...I've got some growing in the basement right now...I'm experimenting:) good luck...I'll try to help more:) m

Before you plant it in the ground, be sure you want it there. Pine trees are forest trees and do well in such an environment. If you have a large piece of property to put it on that's fine. Pine trees should not be planted near a home or you will suffer the consequences later. They can and will destroy your sewer system and tend to snap off in high winds. I had two removed last year that were planted by the previous owners. Roots had traveled over 80' to reach the sewer pipe and invade them. It's also very costly to have them removed, at least 600 dollars a tree. Another consideration are the local laws concerning the removing of mature trees with in the city limits. Yes I'm talking about Houma. "gene"

Your plants will do better and faster and bigger if you wait a bit. Put them outside so the sun warms the soil in the pots. Bring indoors if the temp will go down. Wait until June 15 is fine or maybe later. Peppers grow well in pots because the sun warms the soil. They need warm soil to grow. do not rush planting outdoors. You can put them outdoors NOW if the day will be warm. Harden them off and bring in at night. I use a quart square pot make in canada it is 5 1/2 inch cube. 8 in a tray. Works great. This gives me nice big plants to put into the garden. Big enough to grow a long time and have a big root ball before putting into the ground. DILLEN 5.5 SQ JUM TL TW BK - 288/CN 52-4118 you can get trays for this. They all fit in the standard 1020 tray size. Although these are real big but the tray fits into the hard plastic carry tray that supports and keeps them from cracking. These are the same holders I use for the 72 tray 1020. I also have a setup for the 18 pots in the 1020. However, I am retired and home all day so I make sure they do not dry out. you do not want the soil to dry out or the plant will die. In june I start planting into the ground. I have so many plants it takes me two weeks to get them all planted. I am in zone 5 B a little warmer then you. So no need to go fast. Many people recommend June 15 as the best for peppers. Toms can go in earlier.

TT, I can't answer either of your questions but I will make a suggestion. If either/both or your plants do become established you may want to try grafting on some proper fruit-bearing scions to your root stock. There are plenty of people on these forums that would be willing to send you cuttings for postage or trade or if you know of anyone w/a nice tree you can ask for a few cuttings.