Is it normal that my lettuce seedlings wilt and die at their stems?

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Again! I'm posting this for the third time as it never gets approved O.o I'm growing lettuces from seeds in seed raising mix and they are a few weeks old now. However, the majority of them end up dying as they wilt at their stems and I find them sitting on top on the soil. Someone posted on my other post that I was over watering them...I water them whenever it gets dry, so is that the problem? And if so how often do I water them? thanks

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Based on 15 votes (6 yes)
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Comments ( 17 )
  • Avant-Garde
    11 years ago

    Aw :'(

    What variety of cabbage is it? How deep are you digging the holes for the seeds? How far apart are you spacing them? Are you growing them indoors or outdoors? Once, you figure out the main problem, I strongly suggest that you play Classical music to your plants as it helps them to grow better:D

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    • losthere
      11 years ago

      it's not cabbage lol! I am growing lettuce. I just simply sprinkle some seeds on top of seed raising mixture then I cover them a little with soil. I have actually found a real good method to promote their germination which is putting the tray inside a clear plastic bag, I think the humidity has increased their germination. However, when they are about 2 weeks old, that is when that kinda snap at the base and end up sitting on top of the soil (dead!) :/ and haha I would sing to them but I think I might hurt their little lettuce ears :P

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      • Avant-Garde
        11 years ago

        Sorry about that, I must have read it wrong.

        The part about how they snap off at their after a certain period of time leads me to believe that you aren't digging the holes deep enough. If a plant isn't buried deep enough it can cause a variety of problems. I once tried growing sunflowers in doors. I planted one in a pot and about 6 or 7, in what I call a, Community Pot/Planter. While the one in the pot did grow to be very long and curly, it didn't grow properly. I failed to dig a deep enough hole for it and as it started to grow, the seedling's head weighed it down till it was lopsided. If you've ever seen a sunflower outside, you'll notice that the stalks are thick and strong however, with mine because it didn't get enough sunlight, it was very thin and curly. As for the one's in the Community Planter, they died because they didn't get enough sunlight. I tried again with the sunflowers but that time I had them outside in pots. They grew okay for a while, but soon the animals began to eat them.

        You might be able to find a lettuce care site or some "how to" videos on youtube. Good Luck!

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        • Anonymous Post Author
          11 years ago

          well thanks for your information,I don't think that looking videos up are going to help solve my question as they usually only show how to sow seeds, they don't go into all possible things that could go wrong if you get what I mean, but thanks :) I notice that your quite common on IIN, like you comment a lot and on other posts of mine :)

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      • losthere
        11 years ago

        *they

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  • losthere
    11 years ago

    ok so I'm growing them in trays that are roughly 6-8cm deep.
    I'm not sure what types my lettuce are as I have been given a mixed packet with all sorts of varieties ( one of them is red lettuce though. I water them when I see that the soil is starting to dry up ( when I say soil I mean seed raising mix. By the way I sow them by sprinkling the seeds on top...Is that right? Sometimes I will just cover them with a little soil so they can "root" the soil more efficiently.

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    • cigs
      11 years ago

      Well it sounds like your doing the right thing you should watch how much you water them tho and, Do you pH the water you use on your plants and spray on them.

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      • losthere
        11 years ago

        yeah same, um no I don't pH the water, not sure how to either...Is it really necessary?

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        • cigs
          11 years ago

          It can be for some plants but not always i usually do it so the soil doesn't get to much acidic stuff in it you know then if it did it may burn the plant or make the leaves look sick.

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  • cigs
    11 years ago

    What type of lettuce" are you growing and maybe i could help you with your problem.

    I have grown lettuce before, one big thing if you are over watering it check the base of the stem if its smashed in its over watered and probably going to die,

    If it is smashed in put some soil over and around it and cut back on watering or it will die from root rot, and then their could be to much food in the soil too young ones like that don't need food til they are much older in size and they don't need alot of light and they like cooler temps as well is what i have learned.

    First tell me how much you water them and what they all are growing in like what container or planting pots and how short or tall is the container or pot that they are in thanks for the story and good luck on growing your lettuce.

    I grow the wild type of lettuce from seeds each year they are called (loose leaf lettuce).

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  • MissyLeyneous
    11 years ago

    It's called "damping off". You've got the trays too wet. Don't let the trays get completely dry, but don't over soak them either, you have to keep it just right.

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    • losthere
      11 years ago

      I've learnt about damping off as I'm studying horticulture, I didn't think that was the problem though...I don't think I over water or under water them?

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      • MissyLeyneous
        11 years ago

        I really don't know then, this is one of those things that I would have to really see to be able to diagnose.

        Do you have heat pads under the trays?

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        • losthere
          11 years ago

          hmm fair enough, and no I don't have heating under them. I can't afford that sort of thing lol

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          • MissyLeyneous
            11 years ago

            IDK then, still sounds like over-watering to me, but that's all I got... sorry. :P

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  • VioletTrees
    11 years ago

    How close together are the seedlings? Have you been thinning them out?

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    • Ipooprainbows
      11 years ago

      They are about 5 cm apart, and they are so little that they don't require thinning at this stage I believe. Do you think it may be a water problem, I water them whenever the soil becomes dry or close to it. Someone mentioned on my last post that wasn't approved that I should water them once-twice a week...Is this true?

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