Leek seedlings going yellow

[Primrose]

Have just inspected my leek seedlings which are about 6 inches high in a tray of Levington's General Purpose compost. They seem to be going rather yellow. Can anybody suggest what is going wrong and what I can do to resolve the problem? I don't know whether planting them out now, even though they are very small, would improve the situation and give them a better chance of survival. (All my other seedlings in the same compost are doing OK).

[John]

Hello Primrose
Your leek seedlings are obviously suffering a bit so I wouldn't plant them out just yet until you can get them into a stronger condition.
If you think watering is a problem (probably too much?) I would not water again until the compost is dry to the touch.
If it's a nutrient problem from what you say its likely be either a lack of N or Mg. You could try watering with a balanced soluble fertilizer such as Chempak 3 but if you don't have this, any soluble fertilizer would help. The best treatment for a lack of Mg is a solution of Epsom salts (magnesium sulpate) - use 1 teaspoon of this salt in 5 litres of water.

Hope this helps.

John