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Vegetable Gardening

Broccoli and Cauliflower Seedlings

7 years ago

First time I've started Broccoli and Caul from seed. The seeds sprouted almost overnight. A month later they barely have their second set of leaves. Is this normal? The plants do not look unhealthy. I'm starting them in a mini seed starting dome with a grow light almost directly above the dome. The seedlings are a bit lanky but I don't see how I could get them any more light and I remember plants that I buy are the same way. Is this normal for starting broccoli from seed?

Featured Answer

theforgottenone1013 (SE MI zone 5b/6a)

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

No, not normal. At a month old brassica seedlings should be ready or nearly ready for transplanting into the garden. First thing you need to do is get rid of the dome. It is only meant to help germination so once the seeds sprout it needs removed.

There are several other things that need answered. What type of potting mix are you using? What are the temps? How often are you watering? What type of grow light are you using? And anything else you can think of that might be important to know about the growing conditions.

Rodney

Edit: LoneJack's comment wasn't there when I started typing. :)

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Comments (6)

LoneJack Zn 6a, KC
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
No, not normal at all. By one month they should be ~5-6 tall with pencil thick stems and about ready to go into the garden. The dome is only intended for germination and should be removed ASAP after the seeds sprout and then the seedlings should be placed under the lights.
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LoneJack Zn 6a, KC
7 years ago
Great minds Rodney!
Thomas thanked LoneJack Zn 6a, KC
Thomas
Original Author
7 years ago
OK... I'll take off the domes. I'm using the bio-sponges from Park Seed and watering when necessary. The grow light was custom built for a planted aquarium I used to have. It could be the culprit but the seedlings are right below the lights and the lights worked well to get through 24+" of water. Temps could also be a factor. I don't have a heating mat. Temps range in the 70 degree range.
digdirt2
7 years ago
With indoor seedlings the air temps are really only relevant for germination - warming the soil - not growing. But domes left on germinated seeds cause all sorts of problems - damp-off, root rot, fungus infections, etc.

The Biodomes things have additional problems based on past discussions about them over on the Growing from Seed forum here. They seem to work ok for plants with deep root systems like tomatoes and peppers but not for shallow rooted plants. Others have reported that transplanting the sponge things in to pots of potting mix can eliminate many of the problems.

Dave
Thomas thanked digdirt2
Richard B
7 years ago
Parks bio-sponges do not contain nutrients. When you buy their initial setup they supply nutrient packet to add to water. On just water the plants will be severely stunted. My son has the parks setup. I supplied him with nutrient mix and he noted much better growth. These sponges in the water bath are almost hydroponic so I used a hydroponic type nutrient.

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