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Wisconsn

I am new to this, but am setting up a container indoors to start my seeds. I got it stabilized at 85F with a regular light bulb as the heat source. I found a grow light bulb that I am substituting. Is it OK to run that 24/7 on the new plants? How long after they break ground before they go outside, 7 days?
Thanks
Backally

2/21/2008 3:05:37 PM

Farmville, Virginia (mfowler@hsc.edu)

On advise I got here on this site once the plants were up I turned the light off for 7 to 8 hours each night. This simulates day and night to the plant and makes the transition outside easier on the seedlings. Seemed to work well for me. Didn't seem that the plants wanted to get so leggy either.

2/21/2008 3:17:29 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

I try to get the potted seedling into real sunlight immediately if the weather permits. 7 days is the longest I'd ever want to keep them in pots, even very large ones.

2/21/2008 5:56:17 PM

Wisconsn

OK, Thanks guys.

2/22/2008 11:11:39 AM

Wisconsn

Follow up question...my grow light only keeps the temp of the enclosure at about 82F. If I use a regular bulb to stabilize it at 85 until the seeds break ground, can I then replace the regular bulb with the grow light? Will the drop in temp affect the plant? And if I turn it off for the night, will the temperature drop harm the plant? Basement where I got them should be mid 60's.

2/23/2008 8:56:13 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

We use a heating pad (seed starting mat is better) under the pots. A heat mat can be left on all night. Never relied on a lamp for heat so can't realy comment on that.

2/23/2008 10:24:38 PM