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Re: The grow light theme

EHagge6288@aol.com wrote:

>  Some of you have mentioned starting seeds in the basement, my
> question is, do the lights generate enough heat to warm up the soil to cause
> the seeds to germinate or do you supply addition heat???  My basement is
> unheated, so I thought it would be too cold.

I think that you are confusing seed "germination" with "growing" the plants after
germination.
        Soil temperature is important in inducing germination, and 70 degrees is a
good temperature to shoot for (it varies with the veggie you are starting, and you
should get some book or extension service literature if you are going to go into
this in a big way). Many of us put our seed trays on the top of water heaters or
refrigerators or  anywhere that is warmer. Remember ... you do not need light for
germination, but there is no universal rule.
        Lettuce seeds germinate best in light ... onion seeds prefer the dark.
        Once your seed has germinated you can, and should, use lower temperatures
for the growing plant... for most 60 to 70 deg. is good (this is air, not soil
temp) ... but there are exceptions.
        The big thing is to give it a try ... you can't be out of pocket much,
and, by the time you are bragging about your successes and  have recognized your
mistakes, the garden stores will be full of plants to bail you out.

Have fun ..... Ed   Flynn



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