Aunergine help needed

[Karen Atkinson]

Please can anyone help? My aubergines sown about a month ago are now seedlings. I'm still keeping them warm in my electric propagator (am up North) but the leaves are looking decidedly limp. I am watering them but they don't look as healthy as the cucumbers did (now removed) or tomatoes do (bright and upright). Anyone know what I'm doing wrong or how to remedy before they wilt altogether?

[Karen Atkinson]

[goodlife]

Umm...there is so many reasons that could have happened..over and underwatering both cause limp leaves..perharps they have got too hot...?propagator+ sun through window? You could switch heater off during day and only provide heat during night..they would slowly start harden off for going out to the big wild world.... ;D
So stick your finger in to the soil...do they need watering?..look underneath do the roots show through?..if so...they might get overheated..pot up ...If really wet and this is showing through bottom as well ,,stand your pots on newspaper to get extra moisture out...
Aubergine grow quickly out of they pots..I would put my money on the outgrown roots that are cooking in the propagator...

[saddad]

Or a root rot if they are too wet...  :-X

[Karen Atkinson]

Have just put a finger in compost - it's damp but not soaking. They haven't got big enough to have outgrown their pots either. They're looking very sorry for themselves. I've kept two in the propagaor and brought two out of it to trial and see if it makes any difference. The leaves are curling under themselves - they're not at all bright and perky. I don't think any of them are going to make it  :'(

[saddad]

If you can bear to do it pull up the sickest... if it comes away with very few black roots you have over watered it... if it has lots of white roots I'd look very closely for bugs under the curled leaves... aphids love it in propagators too...  :-X

[1066]

Once a seed has germinated aren't you meant to take them out of the propagator ? Cos if so I think they may be cooking a bit too much in there  :-\
Once mine had germinated I put them on a sunny windowcill and so far...... they are ok

Good luck

1066

[Jeannine]

Yes, take them out, it is too hot for them, you only need the heat to wake up the seed, but be careful you don't chill them.. hopefully it won't be too late,so  turn off the prop but leave them in for a few hours , then in a warm room take off the lid, then after they have adjusted to the cooler temp you can safely take them out,

XX Jeannine

[Karen Atkinson]

oh, I'll do that..my book said keep them warm and I'd thought that meant in the propagator. If it doesn't help maters in a day, I'll pull up and look at the roots.

[1066]

yeah give them a couple of days to recover and re-climatise. You could always sow some more .....  :)

[Trevor_D]

Have you got a nice sunny window-ledge? I agree with the others - take them out of the propagator. But cosset them.

Mind you, they can be slow growers. Mine are on a heated sand-bench in a (slightly) heated greenhouse and - although they are healthy enough - they're not growing much. I blame this relentless winter!

[adeymoo]

oh, if only I had the ability to grow aubergine or pepper plants. no luck in 2 years and it's off to the nursery again. :D

[cleo]

and it's off to the nursery again

Well if you are passing in about a months time I`m sure I could help-75p ?? in a 5 inch pot

[Karen Atkinson]

well, they've been out of the propagator a day now. Don't look any better, but then again, they don't look any worse and I noticed a fresh leaf coming through though the first 2 leaves are still curled under themselves and look limp. How do I cosset them then?

[goodlife]

You can keep them in propagator and under lid during night....if really cold or/drafty place you can switch heat on as well but remember to switch off and take lid off in the morning...the just need now a little help...instead of full "winter coat give a just a cardi on shoulders".. ;)

[Karen Atkinson]

thanks goodlife. will do