Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/108099
2 11:14 AM home + garden » expert advice Q How can I ensure the seedlings I grow inside for my garden aren't too leggy and flopping over? CONWAY LUM answers: There are three easyto-correct reasons for leggy seedlings: 1. Air temperature is too high. Warm temperatures are ideal for germination, but to sustain top growth, 20 C (68 F) or so would be excessive. Try dropping the room temperature a few degrees after the seeds sprout. 2. Poor light quality. On dull days or when the only light source is a window, consider supplemental light, but make sure the bulbs are suitable for plant use. Grow lights offer a broader light spectrum and less heat than traditional light bulbs. 3. Improper watering and feeding. Water and fertilize seedlings according to their particular needs. Avoid extreme conditions, such as excessive feeding under poor light. p74-77_AskTheExperts.indd 77 Lastly, I would also recommend you ensure that there is good circulation around your seedlings for optimum health. Good luck with this year's veggie garden! Called indumentum, it appears on the undersides of the leaves, is usually cinnamon brown in colour and resembles felt. Indumentum is, in fact, a covering of fine hairs or sometimes scales that help to store water and protect the plant from cold and heat. One of the most popular indumentum-rich rhododendrons is the Japanese species R. yakushimanum and its hybrid 'Ken Janeck'. ■ Q What is the brown, hairy coating that I am seeing on the leaves of my rhododendrons? Does this indicate a problem, and should I be doing something to get rid of it? SHIRLEY EPPLER answers: What you are seeing is perfectly normal – and, you'll be interested to hear, it's a characteristic of rhododendrons that is much sought after by collectors. 13-01-23 11:36 AM