My starts have always been on the window sill, but this year would like to start under lights in the house. I wish I knew what flower or veggie seeds are easiest to start this way and if heat mats really help. My seeds have gotten too leggy in the past. Does anyone have tips?
Don't know about the heated mats and which ones would benefit from them. But the seedlings get leggy from lack of sunlight, the window needs to get sun instead of bright light. If it is too sunny, you can put a light fabric curtain between them and the sun for most of the day pulling the curtain back for a while each day. Or put them under grow lights, regular household light bulbs don't provide the light waves they need for growth.
Ditto Toni. For me the seeds that did best when I stared indoors (Coffee filter followed by little pots in the window)are marigolds,zinnia and sunflower. Cucumber seeds extremely well too until I put it outside when some nasty thing ate it up.
Heat mats work GREAT! I used them for the 1st time last spring along with domes and I had my tomatoes plants germinated in 2 days! Everything stays moist and warm. I also use heat lamps. The set up works great!
I'm also starting seeds now. I haven't had much success in the past though. The same problem, not enough sun light, they get tall and spindly and then fall over dead. I am trying a new window this year. But, still, I don't think it's enough. Can I put the tray outside in the sun once they sprout? Or does anyone know where to buy a reasonably priced growing light?
I got my grow lights at a discount store. You can get them anywhere really. they are not the long, light bulbs like flouresents. The holders are metal and roundish, and they have a camp on the end so that you can hook them to anything. I buy the large grow lights. I think I have pictures of them on my blog. The grow bulbs are about $5.00 each and the clamp light is about the same.
