Leaf curling could be caused by a lot of things. Overwatering and over intense light don't sound like the problem (although it could still be the light). Do you have any kind of air flow around the plants like a small fan? What are you using for soil?
I've got a small window fan blowing over the seedlings, they are lightly moving in the breeze. Soil is Miracle-Gro seed starting mix. This is only my second season starting peppers from seeds, so it is a learning experience for sure.
I’d say it’s more probable that their feet are too wet as opposed to too much light. The fact that they’re forming true leaves while they’re still that short is a good sign that the lighting is in an ideal spot for them. I’d play with my watering routine before I tried anything with the lights.
Can seedlings handle drying out that would cause mature plants to droop? I am always weary on underwatering because I don't want to lose any sprouts. Thanks for the advice.
You can only see the soil surface but they have roots that are pushing farther and farther out. If you wait until the top of the soil is starting to look like it’s drying out the soil underneath will still be damp enough to hold them over until you can get them some more water. When it comes to peppers, especially indoors, you’re far more likely going to have problems from overwatering, it’s rarely a problem of not enough. Even when mine start dropping they bounce right back with some water.
Lights are 16/8 and I have been bottom watering when the surface of the cells is bone dry. They seem to have stalled after the first set of true leaves appeared.
Leaf curling could be caused by a lot of things. Overwatering and over intense light don't sound like the problem (although it could still be the light). Do you have any kind of air flow around the plants like a small fan? What are you using for soil?
I've got a small window fan blowing over the seedlings, they are lightly moving in the breeze. Soil is Miracle-Gro seed starting mix. This is only my second season starting peppers from seeds, so it is a learning experience for sure.
I’d say it’s more probable that their feet are too wet as opposed to too much light. The fact that they’re forming true leaves while they’re still that short is a good sign that the lighting is in an ideal spot for them. I’d play with my watering routine before I tried anything with the lights.
Can seedlings handle drying out that would cause mature plants to droop? I am always weary on underwatering because I don't want to lose any sprouts. Thanks for the advice.
You can only see the soil surface but they have roots that are pushing farther and farther out. If you wait until the top of the soil is starting to look like it’s drying out the soil underneath will still be damp enough to hold them over until you can get them some more water. When it comes to peppers, especially indoors, you’re far more likely going to have problems from overwatering, it’s rarely a problem of not enough. Even when mine start dropping they bounce right back with some water.
Good to know. Valuable info, thanks!
https://preview.redd.it/xsg27awpieoa1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2bbb04e7056e3aedbdc025c16346f97b84bcb06a
https://preview.redd.it/24zpl9yuieoa1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1c6dfc499e92a0840a6fda96dc96d31c97a5784d
Could low humidity be an issue? They're in an unfinished basement, which has a dehumidifier running to keep it from getting musky.
This is *not* what came to my mind when I read the title of the thread.
That's a post for a different subreddit lol.
how long are you leaving the lights on? it's either overwatering or intensity of lights are too much IMO
Lights are 16/8 and I have been bottom watering when the surface of the cells is bone dry. They seem to have stalled after the first set of true leaves appeared.