Lights When only Seedlings ???

Hi

Just wonder if any1 can give me some advice. I have converted a wardrobe and i have planted my germinated seeds, they have been in soil for 3 days now and no sign of them coming up. I have a couple of questions if any1 can help.

1, I have 150 watt 6500k daylight cfl, will this do for 2 plants at this stage.

2, Should I have light on them while they are still under the soil.

3, I have covered the pots with cellophane to keep humidity in, should i be doing this.

Thanks for looking at this Thread and Any Advise would be Apprieciated..

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Originally Posted by thebear69

Hi

Just wonder if any1 can give me some advice. I have converted a wardrobe and i have planted my germinated seeds, they have been in soil for 3 days now and no sign of them coming up. I have a couple of questions if any1 can help.

1, I have 150 watt 6500k daylight cfl, will this do for 2 plants at this stage.

2, Should I have light on them while they are still under the soil.

3, I have covered the pots with cellophane to keep humidity in, should i be doing this.

Thanks for looking at this Thread and Any Advise would be Apprieciated..

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1.) yeah it'll do
2.) yeah
3.) no, take it off it'll make it die more than likely, just keep the light bout 6" away

Quote:

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Originally Posted by thebear69

1, I have 150 watt 6500k daylight cfl, will this do for 2 plants at this stage.

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yes.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by thebear69

2, Should I have light on them while they are still under the soil.

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yes.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by thebear69

3, I have covered the pots with cellophane to keep humidity in, should i be doing this.

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no. this can lead to bacterial/fungal growth. this is only needed with clones as they have no roots...or no way to take in water.


-shake

Thanks for advise.

Well i guess 2 out of 3 aint to bad to start.

So I'll take the cellophane of now. Hopefully they'll break the soil soon. I guess i will have to keep an eye that the soil stays moist at this stage.

Should the light be on 24/7 at this stage and should i have the bulb horizontal or vertical.

I am waiting for Mylar to arrive to kit the wardrobe out. I have also ordered a reflector. I know that i should have done things the opposite way round.. but i was so eagar to germinate the seeds i couldnt wait.

make sure the soil stays only moist, and not wet.

the bulb should be horizontal. you'll want to keep it with 1-3" inches from the top of your plant (once it pops).


-shake

Thanks.

My Bulb was at an angle so i will change it to a horizontal position. I pre-soaked the soil before i planted the seeds and have not watered since as the soil has stayed moist under the cellophane.

If there's no sign of the seeds breaking the soil after 5 days. Should i give up and try again.

the plastic wrap might have ruined the seeds. you can dig them up to check...or you could scrap them. that's up to you.

-shake

Thankyou for your help and advise.

What would i be looking for if i dig them up. And then would i have to place them in fresh soil or back into the soil they came from..

to see if the shell popped. you can squeeze them a bit to see if they are hard or soft. if they are soft then they are garbage. you can use the same soil.

you are welcome.


-shake

I think i will wait till tommorow. And if still no sign of breaking the soil i will dig them up and take a look. So if the seed is soft i take it that it is kinda like waterlogged..

I hope to put pics up. But not sure when i can do this. I think i read that about 50 posts are required before pics can be added.

how deep did you plant the seeds?

is it warm there 78+degrees?

is the soil compacted?

I planted them about 7mm under. and as yet have not bought a thermometer. but is is fairly hot. and the soil i broke up and just pressed in gently so its not to compacted.

Well still no sign after 5 days so i'm going to dig them up and try again. But this time going to wait for the mylar to come and going to get a thermometer and hydrometor.

I wonder could it be the compost. I used Miracle Grow Potting compost and for a container i used some kinda eco pot that can be put directly into new pot when ready. Maybe I made it to wet to start. I pre soaked the soil before planting. I also planted the seed tail up. I believe that to be ok.

Any1 any advise if i start again. look forward to hearing from all..

Happy Highs..

Well i just dug the seeds up the tails have gone and the seed all soft. So time for a funeral and hopefully a new birth. :-(

Not all seeds are created equal...:(...some won't germinated; no matter what you do....:wtf:

I use the Miracle Grow seed starter potting soil or any brand like it...:thumbsup:..with 20% perlite added. 1/4 inch deep, kept in 78-85 degrees.
Don't let the soil compact on top after pre-flushing the soil. I pre-flush the soil; let it drain, then use a toothpick to fluff it up & drop in the seed. Since most of my seeds are 2-4 years old?...so..I soak them for 12-24 hours in a shot glass. I still have a problem with the seed shell not wanting to bust open easy. It's not usual for the stem to grow 2-3 inches and still have the hull on the top. Trying to help getting the hull off, is futile. They either make it or not. Some seeds send their tap root to the surface...their retarded seeds...:stoned:
I've been doing it like this since 2005.

In the past 6 months; I've had whole packs of seeds not germinate...and other packs of seeds, 100% germination...go figure?

Thanks for the info.

I actually germinated the seeds on kitchen towel and got tail's out about 4 mm after 2 days before potting.

So even though the compost says it has nutrients for up to 4 weeks i need to add aditional perlite???

And as for light. Should the light be on it 24hours a day after planting?

I am waiting for the mylar to come before starting again, i am also going to get a Thermometer / Hygrometer and PH Kit.

My bulbs are of the BS type and cannot source a reflector for this type of bulb, just E40 type. Should i wait longer till i can get E40 bulb and reflector kit. Or would after lining the wardrobe with mylar, just conecting the bulb horizontally on the side be ok till i get the E40 kit.

Is there anything else that can be thought of that i might need to start off.??

Quote:

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Originally Posted by thebear69

Thanks for the info.

I actually germinated the seeds on kitchen towel and got tail's out about 4 mm after 2 days before potting.
I germinate directly in the soil.

So even though the compost says it has nutrients for up to 4 weeks i need to add aditional perlite???
add 20% perlite, mix well

And as for light. Should the light be on it 24hours a day after planting?
I germinate in the warm, dark; until seedling breaks the surface

I am waiting for the mylar to come before starting again, i am also going to get a Thermometer / Hygrometer and PH Kit.



My bulbs are of the BS type and cannot source a reflector for this type of bulb, just E40 type. Should i wait longer till i can get E40 bulb and reflector kit. Or would after lining the wardrobe with mylar, just conecting the bulb horizontally on the side be ok till i get the E40 kit.

Is there anything else that can be thought of that i might need to start off.??

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Get your lighting ready & in place, BEFORE germinating seeds

i use paper towels and a ziplock. i plant when the tail is at least 1/2 inch and only deep enough where i can see the hull. i then sprinkle a little soil over just enough to cover the hull. and then use a spray bottle several times a day. i also leave light on 24 hours uyntil heads pop out and hull falls off. oh ya pop when you have your lights set up the way you want them.