Re: [CH] V7 #298 When to start seedlings?

Cameron Begg (begg.4@osu.edu)
Wed, 07 Feb 2001 08:51:21 -0500

Hi CH's,

A few people seem concerned with this, so here are my thoughts from N. America.

1 - You should not start seeds more than 6 weeks prior to the last 
probable day for frost in your area if you plan to plant them 
outside. Even then, the plants will not perform well until the soil 
has warmed up.

2 - If you are going to keep them in pots, at least until the soil is 
warmed, you might think of starting the seeds a couple of weeks 
earlier and shuttling them in and outside when the weather permits.

3 - Sufficient indoor lighting is a consideration. The closer you can 
get them to fluorescent light tubes for 12h per day the better. I use 
a light fitting that takes four 4' tubes. It is raised on wood blocks 
as the plants grow and the starter trays slide in and out for 
watering. A mixture of warm white and cool white tubes is as good as 
expensive "Growlux" tubes.

4 - Use only water and a sterile seed starting mixture. Just cover 
the seeds and water with a mister at first. Germination is much 
improved and hastened by heating (pads) to up to 90degF. Do not apply 
fertiliser of any type until the plants have at least one pair of 
true leaves. (Not the cotyledons or "seed leaves" that come through 
first.) Tomato fertilizer is fine for chiles. Use at the maximum 
dilution in place of straight water.

5 - Plants need to be blown around a bit to develop strong stems. If 
you have your lights on a timer, consider hooking a fan in there too 
to create a gentle breeze. Remember that this will greatly increase 
water use.

6 - Other stuff I've forgotten, but I'm sure the other CH's will 
offer plenty of advice. Also check out the archives:
             Back issues of the Digest are available at:
         http://chileheads.netimages.com/archives.html

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                      Regards,               Cameron.