Weak broccoli grow

This is my second grow attempt, I'm a bit deflated as my first grow (mustard) went so well and came through strong.

This is broccoli calabrese and I feel like this grow is just weak, mainly cause the stems are all bent up and it's just not looking so healthy, if you know what I mean. Wanted to ask if this bending was regular to broccoli or if my weight was too heavy for them? Or even the seed placement being too sparse?

Also definitely mould in there right? Just gonna chuck out the whole grow

9 Upvotes

92% Upvoted

u/DEMiGODicarus 1d ago

They look fine. I'd say maybe use a little less seed. Don't black out after germ (if you did) or else place under light sooner. Give them another 3-4 days and the tops will be nice and green. Dont over water. Only bottom water.

1

u/AFullMonty 1d ago

That's was 4 days of germ, they were coming out the sides so i decided to put them under light way sooner than my expected 7 days. Now gonna give 8 hours a day under light. Bottom watering. You don't think the moulds an issue? And that I should see the grow through?

Thanks for the feedback

2

u/DEMiGODicarus 1d ago

I grow 10 trays of broccoli a week. They germinate depending on temp for 3-4 days. Then straight to lights for about 6-9 days. And i give mine 24 hours of light. I would never give micrgreens less than 16 hours of light a day. That photo was hard to tell but didn't look like mold. Those are root hairs. If the micrgreens start to die there then it is mold.

1

u/AFullMonty 15h ago

I've learnt my lesson there, always check the grow cycle of a seed before you begin it. Rather than assuming they're all 7 days. Think I'll go ahead and try these again.

u/lincolnloggonit 1d ago

The mold is an issue, you are overwatering. They only need to be under weight 3-4 days, not 7. They don’t need blackout. They are ready to harvest in 8 days most of the time. They look like they were in blackout because of the long spindly look. Maybe the weight you mentioned was an issue, 3 -4 pounds is enough, although some growers use more. You might have overseeded as well. There are a lot of variables.