leggy chilli seedlings

selinasally

They have been in a heated propagator and only have 2 leaves and are leggy - I thought I had to keep them warm so left them in propagator but now worried they are too long- can I bury them like tomato seedlings ?

Pete.8

You could try burying the stems as they may not hold the weight of the plant.
Whilst they like the warm, the warmth needs to be balanced with good light.

Even better would be to sow another batch now.
I sow mine every year around 10 March in a heated propagator - and soon as I finish my cuppa that's what I'll be doing next along with tomatoes and peppers.
At this time of year, by the time they germinate the days are longer and the sun is much stronger which will prevent leggy plants and there's still plenty of time for a good harvest.

clare_grace

Hi i was very keen this year and did a very early sowing of my chilli seeds and they too came up very leggy. I repotted them and buried their stems well ( like a tomato). I have given them lots of care, under a light lamp and a bit of seaweed feed. They now look really good, no problems, healthy and strong. I intend to keep this care up for a few more weeks and then introduce them to the potting shed for the summer where,with a door open for a few insects , they can have a very relaxed time. I have also don this with buffalo tomato seeds as I understand the plants need as long a growing time as they can get. Other seeds I have been a little less kind to as I think they can take it. For me I like to space out my sowing so that I can relax and enjoy each type of seed coming up without it all becoming a chore. This year I discovered those Small white biodegradable grow Bags/pots. They have worked really well as they take up so much less space and I can plant so much more. They also mean less root disturbance in the long run. I have lost a few seedlings but not too many. 

selinasally

Thank you for your feedback 

Posy

The difficulty is keeping them light as well as warm. They are stretching up for the light. Planting a bit later helps but some people invest in lighting systems. Planting a bit deeper, as suggested, should sort them out.

Nanny Beach

Yes as Posy says light is more important.  I plant tomatoes,peppers in January, kitchen window, turned several times a day, found the heated propagator made it worse.