Expert: C.L. Fornari - 4/27/2010

Question
indoor seed planting from previus plants.Third time planted and we get two lovely green leaves and the plants stay that way.all other years no problem.there is lots of light that is on for 18 hours a day, seeds spaced well,water when dry.other years we had dampening off and teated whith cinomin powder but not this year .
HELP thanks rick.

Answer
Rick,
You don't say what these plants are, so that makes it hard to help. If they are grown from seed from previous year's plants, perhaps they have crossed with other similar plants and you have a "hybrid" that doesn't grow the same way?  I've planted tomato seeds that only develop the first two seed-leaves and then don't do anything else. Usually out of 30 seeds planted only two or three do this, but I suppose it's possible that you'll have a situation that more grow in this manner. It sounds like you're doing everything right, so it must be in the genetics of the seed. Perhaps it's time to start with fresh seed?

If you have other details that might help, let me know and I'll brainstorm further.
all the best,
C.l.