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Need tips on my setup (2nd try)

C

csice

So last year I didn't get started soon enough(I barely knew how to plant stuff). I actually have what I believe to be better lights this time, but I'm not sure about specifics. For example, do they need to be closer? Water them whenever they seem real dry(I am bottom watering)? etc. 
 
Basically I just planted 2-3 seeds each in the starter cups with damp starter mix and barely covered them. They have been planted for 5 days or so, but nothing yet.
 
I am obviously quite the novice; the season really crept up on me again, so while the threads on the forum are quite extensive, I didn't leave myself enough time to really get a deep grasp of everything, so any general guidelines/tips you could give would be greatly appreciated. I so want to actually have a crop this year. I am growing pequin, lemon drop, and fataali. The bulbs are 12w with blue and red leds and were highly rated on Amazon(for what that's worth). Thanks a ton guys.
 

 

 

 
 
be patient .... it takes approx. 10 to 25 days in average for seed to sprout .... and keep them moist ... use a small sprinkler ... you dont need to bottom water until the roots get big enough

also no need for the lights until seeds sprout
 
^+1 I actually started most of my plants this year the same way, with a few differences: I kept all the cups on the tray (cheap disposable baking tray) on a heating pad covered with Saran Wrap to help keep the moisture in. Then once they popped I set them on a separate tray under the lights. I have a small setup because I'm limited on space but I have enough room for several cups both starting seeds and under lights. This is only the second season I have started seeds, so I am no expert, just my $.02
 
Oh, interesting, I look forward to seeing how your bulb does! Which one did you get, the Taotronics? I was eyeing some of the cheaper bulbs (the 5w to 9w) on Amazon but wondering if they were overpriced junk or if the prices had just come down enough to make them feasibly what they claim to be. Good seed starting bulbs are all I'm looking for but I'm not interested in DIY or an arm and a leg, with CFLs being so effective. Wasn't sure how "red blue" lumens compare to regular lumens (or watts?) either. A lot of googling mostly results in people who DIY or "cheap Chinese bulb" which doesn't help much.
 
I ended up getting some new plastic white 5000K LEDs from Home Depot, so we'll see how those work I guess!
 
Welcome to Pepperlandia!
I've seen some powerfully good grows on LED, my only concern is that you may have more plants than your lights can cover.
Try pinging Blister here. He had some beautiful LED plants last year. I think 18-24" above canopy is about right on LED. T8 fluorescents about 2" --big big difference
On of the handiest tools in my grow room is a turkey baster for watering.
Those babies need some plastic wrap on them now to prevent dry-out in this crucial phase.
I'd gently top water for at least the first month. Some soils respond better to bottom watering than others. You'll get the hang of it as you learn your soil..
Learn the feel of a dry pot vs a wet pot by weight is really the best "when to water" guide.
I don/t see a heating pad, so I'm guessing the soil temp is less than 70°. Low 80s is optimal, bottom heat is preferable.  An air vent, refrigerator top, router, anything consistently warm can be make or break on getting them to pop in ~2 weeks. If cooler, they might pop but just take longer.
But you have plenty of time. If you're in Indiana, you're plantout is still 120+ days away.
If you have excellent potting medium, adequate light and warmth, those peppers will be busting at the seams in 60 days.
My first year I had crappy soil, minimal heat, and at 90 days sitll in 2.5" pots the plants were scrawny and looked like they been a street fight.
I put them in the ground, good soil, and the plants did fine.
Good Luck for 2015!
 
I am using the Taotronics, yes.
 
They seem to be about 3 feet from the plants. I may raise them 6 inches to a foot once they sprout. I am also concerned about the fact that the light doesn't cover the entire area.
 
I will get a spray bottle for now until they sprout.
 
I do have a heat pad thing; I believe is for your back or something. It doesn't cover the whole tray though, maybe half. I can use this anyways and hope for the best I suppose.
 
Thanks a lot for the help so far.
 
So I just wanted to check back in and see if there is anything I can do to save my growing season. It has been a long time now and nothing has sprouted. It isn't all that warm in the basement where I have them, but I did finally get a warming pad under them. I thought about bringing a space heater over, but I'm not sure. Not sure what I did wrong, they are in dirt and I have been keeping the dirt moist. Anyways, is it too late to save them at this point? I guess it has been almost three weeks or so.
 
Some pepper varietis take awhile to germinate. Be patient. Secondly, they need bottom heat, either a heat mat or even rope lights coiled can work. Third, make sure seeds never get too wet or dried out. Just my two cents.
 
If you didn't have the heating pad on the last two weeks it's not a problem that nothing has sprouted yet. And it's not too late at all. I have seedlings that are only a month old from the day I planted seed and they're as big as transplants I got in April last year that produced pods.
 
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