I think it depends on what you are growing. But, as a rule, 50* nighttime temp is goor for young plants, and 70* daytime temps. I'm more into perennials, but I think the same holds true to most veggies. Cold weather crops can take lower temps and thrive, as long as it does not go much below 40* I start my perennials in my basement under lights, keeping about a constant 70* (sometimes it gets warmer if I have to crank up the pellet stove). A fan blowing over the plants is a great idea. It's almost a necessity. If the soil in the pots does not reach the very top of the pot, that little space between the top of the pot and the soil creates a microclimate that is perfect for mold and fungia. Watering: I lift up my tray or pot and feel the weight. If it feels light, I bottom water (5-10 minutes depending on whether it's a flat or a pot). Take it out of the water bath and feel the weight. It should feel heaver, even though the very top of the soil may still be dry. Remember that feeling. Bottom watering is the best method, as it keeps the foliage dry. But you probably already know that part. Once you do this a few times, you really get a feel for it, and know when it's time to water. Long winded, but I hope it helps.

thanks blowell. I have always used this method of gaging too, but alot of feedback from these forums convinced me I was watering too much for sprouts. But here is the part that does confuse me some. Most annuals require light for germination, so they have to be on the very top. This dries out very quickly, but if you water every time the top is dry, the soil beneith becomes soggy. I thought humidity domes were the answer. I was advised they were what was causing my heat build-up and damping off. (I don't think I had any damping off problems...but I sure do have die-off problems) I'm sure everyone gives good feedback for general practice, so I'm not bashing anyone, but I do need to find that happy balance for my own growing system. Which is why I love advise from experienced growers. (Like you. :)

While there are commercial fungicides for 'damping off' they are not the safest preparations to use. However there are natural preparations you can make from chamomile tea, cinnamon, garlic, and H202. "Here's an article with instructions."

Perhaps if you grew 'jungle' varieties of plants you'd not have a problem with overwatering or too much heat. However, that's not what you are choosing to grow so you need to be more careful with your methods. Experience is a very good teacher so perhaps you now know what to do. :)

I haven't started a lot of seedlings for a few years, but when I did, I covered the seedlings loosely with light plastic wrap until the sprouted. The plastic was held above the seed trays on toothpicks and I didn't have air circulating over them until they germinated. I also didn't have the fan directly on them until they were past the first few leaves and had some good roots. Perhaps you can aim the fan at the ceiling to cause some circulation without drying the plants too much. I always started the seedlings indoors in bright light but not direct sun and then they were moved outside to the greenhouse when they had a few leaves and better roots. I also usually ended up needing to allow some venting on sunny days. A few times wind closed my vents and plants got fried down to the soil line.