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Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!ihnp4!cord!rib
From: rib@cord.UUCP (RI Block)
Newsgroups: net.garden
Subject: Re: starting seedlings - experience and queries
Message-ID: <174@cord.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 2-Apr-85 12:44:35 EST
Article-I.D.: cord.174
Posted: Tue Apr  2 12:44:35 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 3-Apr-85 02:33:21 EST
References: <593@rlgvax.UUCP> <7683@rochester.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Piscataway
Lines: 19

For the last two years, I have been using Jiffy-7's in the
trays under lights.  Since I don't have any natural light
in my basement, I use two 4ft shop flourescents mounted on chains.
The whole rig is similar to Nemo's.  I have the fixtures mounted to
the floor beams directly over a ping-pong table. I can adjust the lights
up and down (with the chains) as well as adjusting tray with spacers.
This allows two trays started at different times to share the same fixture.

The Jiffy trays mentioned by Nemo become brittle after all that UV exposure,
but the last for 3 seasons with care. Jiffy now has commerical models which
fill an enitre 1020 (standard size) flat.

The keys to reliable gemination are heat and moisture.  I use a plastic
dome over the flat and a heat cable underneath.  When I want to start a
"6 Pack", I surround the works with a plastic bag and put it on a spacer
on top of the water heater.  During the tail of the heating season, I
also use the boiler.  Measure the actual temperture generated after a few
hours; you want to germinate, not cook the seeds. A few wooden spacers
will keep the heat under control.  Of course, keep plastic away from the flue.