Question
I was wondering how to get the flowers I grow from seed to stay relatively short and have thick stems like the ones from the greenhouses i used to purchase by the flat.  This year I started petunias, impatients and marigolds, as well as tomato's from seed.  All of them grew very tall with long thin stems, "leggy" i guess its called?  I have been told it was because they grew too fast, but I dont know how to make them grow slower.  Any tricks I should know?  I started them in one of the small indoor greenhouses from lowes, and when warm enough moved outside.  I live in Northern NY if it makes a difference.

Thanks

Ryan

Answer
There are special, costly chemicals that growers use to get the effect you are asking about.  But they are used in conjunction with basic textbook care.

That includes things like the right light intensity and day length for optimal growth.  The condition you describe is almost always a result of a shortage of footcandles -- very common, in fact, among gardeners who can't wait to get a start on Spring, and sprout their seeds indoors in anticipation of the coming season.  You guilty of that?

What exactly does the Greenhouse from Lowes offer in the way of lighting options?  Watts, type of bulbs, and size of bulbs?  Enquiring minds want to know, rsvp,

THE LONG ISLAND GARDENER