best temperature for seedlings to grow in
engineeredgarden
14 years ago
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digdirt2
14 years agoRelated Discussions
Do you fertilize your seedlings/Why can't i grow seedlings?
Comments (23)Dave, "Zinnia grow so quickly and turn leggy almost overnight so most feel they are best direct seeded outside." I agree that it is generally better to plant zinnias directly outside when that works with your schedule. However, I think Dale was trying to get an early start with his zinnias, hence the attempt at starting them early inside under lights. I agree with everybody who identified Dale's problem as not enough light. I just want those who are considering starting zinnias indoors to know that they will not "turn leggy almost overnight" if you provide adequate light. With enough light they are quite docile and well behaved, and you can get an early start of a month or more if you have an adequate light setup. The shelf in this picture has four two-bulb T8 shoplights over it. The shelf measures 2 feet by 4 feet, and with a total of eight T8 fluorescent bulbs over it, the light on the seedlings is good. That picture was taken a couple of days ago and I will be setting most of those zinnias into the garden in the near future. There are a few "late arrivals" in the picture that will spend some more time inside. They would be just cutworm fodder if I set them outside now. All of those zinnias are hand-hybridized hybrids, so I give them better care than I would for seed-packet zinnias. ZM...See MoreGrow Lights, Soil Temperature and Seed Heads
Comments (8)Ottawapepper, i am certainly not an expert but I can give some input. The temp can be controlled on your heat mats by a seperate thermostat i have two waterbed heaters on a White Rodgers remote bulb thermostat model # 1687-9 that is hardwired from the breaker box then from the thermostat it is wired to a recepticle which I have the heaters plugged into then I put the remote bulb in the cell trays thru the top of the dome. It is set to turn on when the temp falls to 80 deg. and turn off if the temp gets around 87 to 89 deg.The thermostat justs cuts the power to the recepticle when it hits the preset temps. This method is working without any problems and the temps are right on the money. You definetly need to control the temp from what i've read here I think 125deg will kill off the seeds. i keep my temps closer to 90 deg. with great results. as far as the lighting is concerned i am just using the 8.00 fluorescent fixtures from home depot and the cheapest bulbs they have and again am having great results so far. My seedlings are kept as close as possible to the lights as I can get them As far as the seed husk problem I to am having this happen alot If you check out my thread on Naga Cotyledons you can see how i handled that. I also put the fan on the seedlings for about 4 hrs a day. This is my first time starting plants from seeds and I have gotten all my info from the experts on this forum and other forums on GW. Hope this helps. Dale...See MoreSoil temperature for seedlings
Comments (8)Soil temp is only relevant to germination. After germination it is air temps that are important for growing on. Ambient temps of 60-65 degrees. You can go a bit cooler but try to avoid going much warmer than that. For optimal growth when growing young seedlings in the greenhouse we work very hard to keep it in the 60-65 degree range and to avoid anything above 70. Dave...See MoreMinimum nighttime temperature for seedlings
Comments (14)I have been having the same problems here in Kansas. I have 102 plants in one hoop building. They have been there since March 28th. They are growing great, minus the ones that died when it was 18 degrees. It is 50-80's in the day and 32-50 at night. I have been covering them up with row cover every night it is suppose to be below 45. Then take it off each morning. It is alot of work, but I can tell you that I am seeing more growth this year than last because of it. I also have 400 seedlings in another hoop house. They are under one layer of row cover also. They have been out there for a week. They went straight from the basement lights to the hoop house during a cloudy 3 day warm spell. They were not stressed. I don't get too worried about 40's, with the hoops. I do start to worry when they say 38 or below. I just double up the row cover. After the 18 degrees and had a majority of everything come through ok, 32 doesn't scare me like last year. Do I worry, a little, but I still sleep good. Jay...See MoreHoosierCheroKee
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