Leggy seedlings are usually caused by

• A. Excessive moisture
• B. Insufficient light
• C. High soil fertility
• D. Too cool temperatures

Answer: (B)

Leggy seedlings come from etiolation, a response to too little light. When light is scarce, a plant can’t photosynthesize efficiently in all its lower leaves, so it elongates its stem in an attempt to reach brighter light. This rapid vertical growth results in long, thin, spindly stems with small or widely spaced leaves, making the seedling weak and prone to falling over. The fix is to provide brighter, more uniform light: move the light closer, increase its intensity, and ensure each seedling receives adequate, evenly distributed light for a longer portion of the day. Using supplemental lighting with a spectrum that supports vegetative growth helps too. In contrast, excessive moisture, high soil fertility, or cool temperatures don’t produce this same stretch toward the light pattern; they affect plants in different ways, while leggy growth specifically points to insufficient light.