slug damage to seedlings- can they recover?

I had been waiting for my red pepper seedlings to appear and couldn't understand why they hadn't.
On closer inspection I can see that they have shooted but the seed leaves had been eaten. The tiny stalks are ok though.
Without their seed leaves will they recover and grow or will I have to start all over again?

 

You can try and outwait them. Peppers are rather rhobust, but that also depends on their age in development. When did they first start showing above the soil?

A good deterrent for slugs (and other animals like cats and dogs) is sprinkle cayenne pepper around the seedling patches. Dogs and cats tend not to sniff the area :hehe: and slugs certainly won't like the burn!

 

Hard one Louise.
Young seedlings usually depend on their seed leaves to keep them going while they develop a root system.
What their chances of success are without their cotylodons (seed leaves) are I don't know.
Or how well peppers will get on outside as seedlings - even in Brittany.
I've gardened there, and it was good, but not that good.
Good luck and do let us know how it goes.

 

Louise, as long as the growing tip is still viable, they should be fine. The first thing to develope from the seed is the root system. so don`t worry about that.:gnthb:

 

Thanks, they seem to be doing OK. I am still waiting for the proper leaves to appear, they seem to have gone into suspended animation BUT they haven't died. I am hoping they will grow outside alright in the summer.