It is 2 different situations. Bottom watering by sitting the containers in an inch or so of water for a short period of time is what is recommended. Then remove them from the water. The gravel discussion is only for those few plants that either a) require excess humidity or b) will be left unattended for a period of time, say 2-5 days of vacation. The use of gravel plays a minimal, if any role, in average garden seed starting. Lighting as discussed in the How to get started FAQ and the Lighting FAQ is 99% of the time only fluorescent ie: 4' 2 tube shop lights. There are many discussions here about this that the forum search at the bottom of the page will pull them up along with pics that many of us have posted of our light set-ups. That is all that is needed for seed starting. LEDs and special grow lights or special colors only come into play when one is growing full grown plants inside under lights and need to encourage blooming etc. Mirrored sides??? Never heard of anyone using them yet millions start their seeds without them. Simple aluminum foil, the $2 mylar camping blankets, even white paint can all help with light reflection but the benefits are nominal and none of them are required for any reason. Well water is no problem. It is hard and chlorine free. It is artificially softened or some city water that can cause problems. Most packaged seed starting mix, what the majority use, and potting mixes are already sterile when you buy them. They are sold that way. If you mix your own out of non-sterile ingredients or use old mix then some recommend first treating it with boiling water. Seed starting can be as simple or as complex as you or the folks selling equipment for it want to make it. As with many things in life, simple is best. :) Dave

Lisa - It's interesting to see the sibs from the Trahlyta and Laura Harwood cross. You can really see that Trahlyta influence in most of them. My favorite is the first seedling. I also love that last seedling you posted with the blue band. I would give it more time, too. It's really pretty! Debra

illinoisdoglover, here's the definition from the American Hosta Society (AHS) - DRAWSTRING EFFECT - the leaf distortion caused by the expansion of the interior of the leaf blade with a correspondingly lesser expansion of the margin tissue. This usually occurs as the result from a narrow white margin and green to gold center; e.g. H. 'Lunar Eclipse'. So, the margin is growing slower than the green inner part of the leaf and draws the edge in either above or below the leaf. Here's a picture of my Lunar Eclipse... the second flush of leaves will usually not be affected as much. This is as good as Lunar Eclipse ever looked in my garden....so I tossed it. Link below to a list of hosta that drawstring. Paul Here is a link that might be useful: DRAWSTRING-LEAVED HOSTA

Very nice, That just reminds me that I need to reshape my azalea in the front yard after it blooms. It had a lot of damage from ice that accumulated on it a couple years past. I think one more prune should do the job.