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Re: The grow light theme

Yes, a very good point. I'm not sure if I implied that I actually started
seeds under the lights. Indeed I don't. I start all of mine in my gas
oven which uses a pilot light. It keeps a fairly constant temperature of
80 deg.f. I even start lettuce in it by tricking it. I plant the seeds in
sterile mix in a container, cover it with a plastic bag and set it in the
oven for one night. Next day I put the lettuce container in my cooler
basement, under the lights for a day. Then I put the lettuce back in the
oven and the seedlings usually pop up within 24-48 hours. I sow the seed
rather thickly and transplant to 6 or 8 cell packs in less than a week. I
have found that lettuce, especially when it still has it's seedling leaves
is very durable and transplants quite well. I set the stems deeply and
place the cell packs under the lights.

On Sun, 15 Feb 1998, EDMUND C. FLYNN wrote:

> 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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