Pepper and Eggplant Seedlings not Thriving

whistler · May 2, 2011

I need some suggestions on how to get my pepper and eggplant seedlings to grow. I started them in early March (dense planted), and they haven't grown past about an inch to 1.5 inches high. They were potted up to 3.5 inch pots about 2 weeks ago, and I can only assume that they are putting their energy into growing roots, because they aren't getting any bigger above the pro-mix. They were hardened off in the dense planted cells, and have been outside for weeks - I'm sure they would prefer a much warmer environment.

What are the ideal temps for pepper and eggplant seedlings? Other than a shot of weak liquid miracle grow, what else can I do to get these seedling ready for sale in 2 - 3 weeks?

Thanks for your help.

Boutique Tomatoes · May 2, 2011

It's probably the cold, both of those need more heat than tomatoes. My experience is peppers don't do well below 70 and eggplants like it even warmer. Mine won't go outside until 2 weeks past the last frost date here, and even then they're either in black pots or black mulched beds and behind a windbreak to try to give them some extra heat.

I'm currently sharing office space with a few hundred peppers and eggplants, the computers keep it a little warmer in here than we keep the rest of the house.

dustdevil · May 2, 2011

You need to bring them back inside where it's warmer if you expect to get them to saleable size in 2-3 weeks.

**nctomatoman** · May 7, 2011

Yep....all about temperatures. Once things warm up, they will pop. I do think they just work on root growth during cool temps.

muskymojo · May 8, 2011

Fish emulsion is a great jump start for peppers. Probably 1/4 recommended strength for babies that small. And yes, more heat will help if you're trying to grow them fast.

May 2, 2011	#1
whistler Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: PA Posts: 100	Pepper and Eggplant Seedlings not Thriving I need some suggestions on how to get my pepper and eggplant seedlings to grow. I started them in early March (dense planted), and they haven't grown past about an inch to 1.5 inches high. They were potted up to 3.5 inch pots about 2 weeks ago, and I can only assume that they are putting their energy into growing roots, because they aren't getting any bigger above the pro-mix. They were hardened off in the dense planted cells, and have been outside for weeks - I'm sure they would prefer a much warmer environment. What are the ideal temps for pepper and eggplant seedlings? Other than a shot of weak liquid miracle grow, what else can I do to get these seedling ready for sale in 2 - 3 weeks? Thanks for your help.

May 7, 2011	#4
nctomatoman Tomatoville® Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hendersonville, NC zone 7 Posts: 10,385	Yep....all about temperatures. Once things warm up, they will pop. I do think they just work on root growth during cool temps. __________________ Craig

May 2, 2011	#2
Boutique Tomatoes Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Northeast Wisconsin, Zone 5a Posts: 1,109	It's probably the cold, both of those need more heat than tomatoes. My experience is peppers don't do well below 70 and eggplants like it even warmer. Mine won't go outside until 2 weeks past the last frost date here, and even then they're either in black pots or black mulched beds and behind a windbreak to try to give them some extra heat. I'm currently sharing office space with a few hundred peppers and eggplants, the computers keep it a little warmer in here than we keep the rest of the house.

May 2, 2011	#3
dustdevil Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: WI, USA Zone4 Posts: 1,887	You need to bring them back inside where it's warmer if you expect to get them to saleable size in 2-3 weeks.

May 8, 2011	#5
muskymojo Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2011 Location: Minneapolis Minnesota Posts: 25	Fish emulsion is a great jump start for peppers. Probably 1/4 recommended strength for babies that small. And yes, more heat will help if you're trying to grow them fast.