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Re: Help!!! Information on starting seedlings

Square Foot Gardening List - http://www.flinet.com/~gallus/sqft.html


>I have lots of seeds.
>* What should I plant them in?  

Those Jiffy Pots (about $8.95 for 100) that expand when they get wet are
really nice to use, but soiless potting mix works just as well in old
plastic seed starting trays.
>* What media should I use?  I have heard that peat moss is suggested.  What
>do you folks think?

At school we have had good luck with the soiless potting mix.  SOmetimes we
add some vermiculite.

>* Should I purchase some of those purple fluorescent bulbs and place them
>above my seedlings?  If so, how far from the containers?

Everyone says you don't need the purple or grolight bulbs and I agree.
Regular flourescents work just as well for starting seeds.  Just be sure
they are REAL close to the seedlings - like about 2-3 inches to start with.

>Does anyone who has actually done something like this have a tried and
>proven method?

We use one (or more) of those plastic shelving units from Home Quarters or
HOme Depot or Lowe's (5 shelves high, 3' wide and 18" deep - about $40) and
hang 2' or 4' flourescent fixtures by small chains from the grids of each
shelf.  It is almost like having a gro-lab unit, but much cheaper.  We
either lower and raise the lights, or put old lumber under the planting
trays to raise them close to the light.  Lights are plugged into power
strips that are in turn plugged into timers that go into the wall socket.
The plants get about 16 hours of light a day.  Old spray bottles are used to
mist with water as needed.  We enclose the whole thing in aluminum foil to
retain moisture and reflect more light.  Have started broccoli, cabbage,
cauliflower, zinnias, marigolds, and herbs this way with good success (in a
classroom environment).

Vasha
zone 8 Alabama


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