Turn on my lights?

[SunLake]

I have roughly 40 seeds germinating. 20 have sprouted for the past two days, and the other 20 are showing progress. My question is they have gone 2 days without light, how much longer can they go? Should I turn on my LEDs yet?

Some of them I found growing upside down in the Rapid Rooter.

What is the point of not turning on the lights during the germination period?

[EvilCartman]

FWIW As soon as seeds break the surface they should get *some* light. That's how I've always done it.

The only real point to not using the lights to germinate is that it is wasteful. Seeds don't need light. I've germed under lights, when I thought a little more heat would be beneficial.

With regard to lighting up the LEDs, I got nothin'. Some light is desired, unsure if the LEDs would be too much at this point. But the just germed seedling/sprout is looking for light of some kind.

[SunLake]

Thanks, I had one buddy say "don't let those seeds get any light" kind of like it's a myth, well MYTH BUSTED, I'll take your word for it.

Hey this isn't the same Evil Cartman that plays FH is it? If you don't know what FH is don't worry about it bro, thanks for the advice!

[JackdaWack]

You don't want a germinated seedling to get light until it breaks ground, the main idea is to keep the roots in the dark, and once the cotyledons hatch hit them with light. This stage can be critical and is essential to not stretch the babes.

[Mississippi Steve]

when in doubt, imitate nature.... the light cycle should start when the seeds are planted in the soil... warmer days, cool nights etc. Start them on 18/6.