easy questions?

Malarky

Malarky

Sorry for questions. The search function never seems to help me too much? are there any ways to "search smarter" on the forum? I tried quotes and + and ( )...
 
Any ways i'm hoping to start a Glog on my first grow as soon as i fix my computer. I figured i shouldn't bother till i have pics. I know you like pics.
 
But I've managed to pop some seeds (generously given by members of THP), on paper towel.
I just put a couple in FFOF in double cups with sandwich bags over the top.
 
question #1 is...Heat Mat...beneficial now that they've germ'd for sure? or take them off? I didn't know if the extra warm would speed their growth or not. I got a late start.
 
question #2, sandwich bags come off as soon as they pop through soil?
 
question #3. I've got nice SSW windows. will the plants be better served to get some sun there with supplemental light at night? or just under lights? (T12s...i know)
 
#4 can seedlings get sunburned if they spend most of their time under lights and then I bring them to the window every so often?
 
Thanks for your experience
 
Keep the heat mat on so they stay warm. Sorry can't help much with the other questions someone more experienced may be able to help.
 
Malarky said:
Sorry for questions. The search function never seems to help me too much? are there any ways to "search smarter" on the forum? I tried quotes and + and ( )...
 
Any ways i'm hoping to start a Glog on my first grow as soon as i fix my computer. I figured i shouldn't bother till i have pics. I know you like pics.
 
But I've managed to pop some seeds (generously given by members of THP), on paper towel.
I just put a couple in FFOF in double cups with sandwich bags over the top.
 
question #1 is...Heat Mat...beneficial now that they've germ'd for sure? or take them off? I didn't know if the extra warm would speed their growth or not. I got a late start.
 
question #2, sandwich bags come off as soon as they pop through soil?
 
question #3. I've got nice SSW windows. will the plants be better served to get some sun there with supplemental light at night? or just under lights? (T12s...i know)
 
#4 can seedlings get sunburned if they spend most of their time under lights and then I bring them to the window every so often?
 
Thanks for your experience
Click to expand...
 
#1  - you want your soil to maintain temperature.  So if your inside temps are not 75+ constantly.   Than yes, you want to use a heat mat to maintain that level of heat.  Keep in mind after 90 degrees F you start to lose % of germ. 
 
#2 - Yes.   If you leave the enclosures on for too long you risk "dampening off" which is a fungus that attacks the stems of new plants.  The enclosures need to be taken off and proper ventilation added to your set up - You just need moving air, nothing crazy. 
 
#3 - Extra Sun never hurts!  Any form of direct sunlight is better than artificial lighting.   The brightest CFL lights are only equal to the most cloudy of days. 
 
#4 - You still need to watch your younglings for sunburn.   Work them in rotation for a couple hours at a time until you are certain they will not suffer damage.  I would wait until the 2nd set of true leaves before I started this process. 
 
Hope this helps, and if anyone else wants to correct me, Please do so. 
 
sorry i wasn't very clear about Question #1...I germed the seeds on paper towel. They popped roots out and I got them in double cups now. Is the heat mat still beneficial? heat mat is on thermostat around 80-85F
 
Yes, yes, yes, and yes.
 
1. Once you transplant the seeds to soil, the extra warmth will help encourage healthy root development. Keep in mind the purpose of the heat mat to begin with..... you're trying to trick the seeds into thinking it's spring time. It will stun the plant if you send them back to autumn soil temps just when they start to grow.
 
2. Take the bags off. They will die if you leave them covered under too much heat after germination.
 
3. There's no better light for your plants than the one nature developed them for... that big ball of nuclear fusion we call our sun.
 
4. It's not the light, per se, but the intensity of the light/heat. Sunburn isn't really the culprit you need to watch out for, as it's basically harmless to your plants. You have to make sure you harden them off, or they will fry. In other words, slowly expose them to more exposure to the sun over a two week or more time period. Lots of info available online regarding hardening off your plants.
 
Malarky said:
sorry i wasn't very clear about Question #1...I germed the seeds on paper towel. They popped roots out and I got them in double cups now. Is the heat mat still beneficial? heat mat is on thermostat around 80-85F
Click to expand...
 
The heat mat can be used if you have unstable temps.  Your seedlings can be damaged if the soil temp reaches below 50 degress, and they will have stunted growth until they are warmed again.   Once the seeds are germinated the main benefit of using a warming mat is to help with moisture evaporation.   
 
The heat mat will not harm the plants if it is regulated.  
 
Phil said:
4. It's not the light, per se, but the intensity of the light/heat. Sunburn isn't really the culprit you need to watch out for, as it's basically harmless to your plants. You have to make sure you harden them off, or they will fry. In other words, slowly expose them to more exposure to the sun over a two week or more time period. Lots of info available online regarding hardening off your plants.
Click to expand...
Ok! didn't know if the window provided any buffer from the light intensity. I'll take it easy on the little guys, even indoors.
 
     1.) I germ at 85F, then after they sprout I turn the thermostat down to 75. (You have a thermostat, right? ;) ) Peppers like their roots to be warmer than where I keep my furnace set. 
     2.) As long as the seeds have sprouted and the seed coat has been shed, no humidity dome needed. Any more will just make for a weak plant.
     3.) Direct sun is good, but indirect is just meh. I have two grow areas in my house. One us under a bank of eight 4' t8 grow bulbs on a 4' x 2' table, the other is by a south facing window. The plants under the lights always grow faster, so I rotate.
     4.) I have never experienced this. All my plants get started under my t8s. When I run out of space on that table, some of them get moved to the window. Not one of my plants has ever had a bad reaction to direct sunlight through a window. (Direct sunlight outside is a different story...) 
 
 
 
edit: And yes, the search function here sucks. I stopped trying to use it years ago.
 
They should be okay by a window....just be careful when, or if, you start to bring them outside.... and you should bring them outside, eventually, if you have space.
 
Phil said:
They should be okay by a window....just be careful when, or if, you start to bring them outside.... and you should bring them outside, eventually, if you have space.
Click to expand...
They'll definitely get outside once its warm enough. Just moved into a new house over the winter so I'm starting the garden from scratch this year. Peps will be in buckets, and from what I've read I'm not sure if its even worth it to plant them in the ground. (clay/heavy suburban soil) 
I'm researching how to make good soil mixes without having to break the bank or cross state lines in search of perfect ingredients. 
 
Malarky said:
They'll definitely get outside once its warm enough. Just moved into a new house over the winter so I'm starting the garden from scratch this year. Peps will be in buckets, and from what I've read I'm not sure if its even worth it to plant them in the ground. (clay/heavy suburban soil) 
I'm researching how to make good soil mixes without having to break the bank or cross state lines in search of perfect ingredients. 
Click to expand...
might be best to grow in buckets or wally bags. start a compost pile for next year then move compost to garden plot and till. go from there
 
A lot of cities/towns have compost piles.  You could also check stockyards areas if your city has one. You may check locally or in the surrounding suburb areas for this.  Usually it is free to those who want it as long as they shovel it themselves, and a minor charge if you want them to load your truck bed up with it.
 
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