Why do seedlings get tall, weak, and pale on a windowsill?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why do seedlings get tall, weak, and pale on a windowsill?

The Big Idea

Some windowsill seedlings grow tall and floppy! They look pale and weak. Why does that happen?

Stretching

Step one: Stretching. Seedlings that don't get enough light stretch upward searching for it. They grow long, thin stems with small, pale leaves.

Leggy

Step two: Leggy. Gardeners call this leggy growth. Leggy plants are floppy and weak, and they may fall over.

More Light

Step three: More Light. A sunny window or a grow light placed close above the plants helps. Turning pots keeps them from leaning, and strong light makes short, sturdy seedlings.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! Stretched out. Small and light. Close above. Stops leaning.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! This stretching in the dark is called etiolation. Grow lights go close. Turn pots every day. Bright light means sturdy.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Put a pot of seedlings on a windowsill. Notice which way they lean. Turn the pot a quarter turn each day. Draw how they change for a week. What do the plants do?

Outro

Seedlings without enough light stretch upward, growing tall, thin, and pale, which gardeners call leggy. A sunny window or close grow light, plus turning the pots, gives you short, sturdy seedlings. Science is amazing! What will you discover next? Every question is a new adventure, so keep wondering and keep exploring with me! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!