Well, I went to visit my plants for the first time in 6 days and I found that a couple of them were flopped over but alive. They were not wilted and the stem curved so the leaves still face up. I was wondering how big of a problem this is and how I should go about fixing it. These plants are in the ground rather than in pots if that matters. Also, the weather has been 50's and raining for the last couple days. Anyway, should I go about staking them or should I just let them go? This is my first time growing so I'm a complete noob. Any help or suggestions are appreciated.
It doesn't sound like a major problem. In fact, that sounds like natural Low Stress Training (look it up if you're unfamiliar with the term). As long as nothing is wilted and the leaves are facing up, it might even be better that way. Pictures would help, though.
Stake them for 24 hours. Not longer or their stems will weaken. Keep doing that on and off if they keep falling over. Make sure you don't have a deficiency causing the stem not to develop strong enough. Use these from Walmart @ $.88/each, close the opening with a zip-tie after sliding the stem of the plant in.
Thanks, that makes me feel a little better. I guess I'll pick up some of those. Sorry for the lack of pictures but I didn't think to bring a camera. I'll try to get some pics tomorrow or saturday.
Here is a picture of one of them right after I staked it up. Next week is supposed to be warmer and sunnier so I'm really looking forward to that.
It seems like your plants aren't getting enough light (hence the stretching/flopping). I would seriously consider moving them indoors and putting a few CFLs above them, 60-100w (you should try for at least 75w if you can, though, on a light cycle of 24/0) and that will be one happy plant, for a while, at least.
Thanks for the advice but unfortunately I don't have the option of moving them indoors. I knew coming into the project that the light would be on the lower end but they do get around 6-7 hours of direct sun a day. Although it was rainy this whole week up to today so they didn't get much light this week.
It looks as if the plant's calyx is about 6 inches above ground, if you wanted to, you could gently dig it up and re-plant it, and bury the stem up to just below the calyx this time. I often do that with seedlings, and it usually prevents further drooping. Just be sure to dig with enough leeway around the base of the plant so you don't harm the roots, 6 -10 inches deep should do it. Once supported, most stems will strengthen on their own. Good luck.
Would just adding more dirt around the stem have the same effect? You can't really tell from the picture but where the plant is growing is a couple inches lower then ground level because the potting soil I used settled more then the natural dirt around it.