windowsill issues for seeds

I have a few chilli plants growing from seed. They started of well in the propagator on the windowsill but when potted on they grew but are a bit thin compared to my dads. He reckons the root might not be the best due to the windowsill itself is cold on which they sit.

Any thoughts or tips

 

Maybe stand them on newspaper GG...

 

By "thin" do you mean "leggy"? - elongated between each leaf joint? If so that's a sign that they are not getting enough light.

 

No they aren't leggy just not as sturdy as they should be. My others are on a heat mat and look a lot better

 

I suspect it is a matter of heat. I am growing things on a windowsill such as Cannas and Leonotus, which germinated fine - but are really suffering from the lack of heat. They look miserable compared to previous years.

 

That's what I think so I bought a windowsill heat mat to see if it helps

 

A heat mat certainly will help a bit - but there is a limit to how much you can put on them. I am afraid that we are all dependant on nature - and our mortal efforts are puny.

 

You need to get the combination of heat and light correct.
To much heat and not enough light and they will grow thin.
Not enough heat but with light and they will "stall".

Difficult year, but I'm sure things will come OK as usual, we are just a month behind this year, so pretend its early March, until things warm up.

 

The garden gnome, could you place them on corrugated cardboard box laid flat and extra light from cooking foil selotaped to a piece of card behind the plants?