Seed Starting Kits Question

tqn626 · January 9, 2013

I just recently bought a Jiffy 72 cell hexagon seed starting kit. Never used a seed starting kit before.

I was wondering if i can turn it into a self watering kit by placing 1/2 inch wet paper towels at the bottom and then filling it with water and then place the pots on top of the paper towels. My seed starting mix will contain at least 1/3rd coco coir to act as a wicking agent.

Another method i was thinking is putting cotton wicks through each pot, but that cost a little more.

Doug9345 · January 9, 2013

I'm not familiar with the kit but if I was going to do cotton wicks as cheap as I could I'd cut up an old pair of jeans or a denim skirt. Another option I'd try would be cotton cloths line.

tqn626 · January 9, 2013

It's just basic container, Pots, and dome.

What's a good type of lightbulb to use to grow from seed to transplant. I have a 2700k 2700 lumens 42 watt fluroscents bulbs, will that be enough?

Thinking of getting this if it not enough.

http://www.amazon.com/Full-Spectrum-...pr_product_top

dice · January 17, 2013

This thread has good information on flourescent lighting
for starting seeds: http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=24451

Google "capillary mat" for the kind of water source that you
are describing.

Hotwired · January 17, 2013

tqn626 .... 2700K is too red to start plants inside. You need a lot more Blue light. I found that 6500K is optimum.

2600K ...... http://imageshack.us/a/img543/3018/w...tecflcurve.jpg
6500K ...... http://imageshack.us/a/img560/3693/daylightcflcurve.jpg

Crandrew · January 17, 2013

hotwired is correct. You only really need the red spectrum for the flower and fruit stages. The blue light will encourage root and vegetative growth.

ScottinAtlanta · January 17, 2013

I just use the T12 bulbs on chains to raise and lower them, and they have worked well enough and are cheap.

tqn626 · January 17, 2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hotwired

tqn626 .... 2700K is too red to start plants inside. You need a lot more Blue light. I found that 6500K is optimum.

2600K ...... http://imageshack.us/a/img543/3018/w...tecflcurve.jpg
6500K ...... http://imageshack.us/a/img560/3693/daylightcflcurve.jpg

Bought a 5000k 40 watt and 6500k 65 watt bulb 3 days ago, waiting for it in the mail.

The 6500k bulbs are pricey and rare.

Greenthumbroy · January 17, 2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by tqn626

I just recently bought a Jiffy 72 cell hexagon seed starting kit. Never used a seed starting kit before.

I was wondering if i can turn it into a self watering kit by placing 1/2 inch wet paper towels at the bottom and then filling it with water and then place the pots on top of the paper towels. My seed starting mix will contain at least 1/3rd coco coir to act as a wicking agent.

Another method i was thinking is putting cotton wicks through each pot, but that cost a little more.

If you're going to use artificial lighting, try T8 flourescent tubes which I researched and found that they will cover almost the entire color spectrum thus enhancing successful seed growth.

Best to you and Welcome

Crandrew · January 17, 2013

for seed starting..you are reading WAY To much into this.
Now if we are talking full fruiting under lights...well thats another story.
KISS

tqn626 · January 17, 2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crandrew

for seed starting..you are reading WAY To much into this.
Now if we are talking full fruiting under lights...well thats another story.
KISS

I like to go to the extreme for everything garden related.

The bulbs wasn't that expensive, it was the shipping at 9 bucks.

dice · January 17, 2013

For future consideration: http://www.tsflowers.com/plantstand.html

tqn626 · January 17, 2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by dice

For future consideration: http://www.tsflowers.com/plantstand.html

Interesting, I was going to make one made out of shipping planks (Most of the time they're free), but i'm constrained by space.

I'm currently using my desk with a 2x3 feet box with a light bulb mounted on top.

dice · January 18, 2013

Whatever works. That pvc plant stand with 4' flourescents
is a common sort of setup for starting seedlings, whether
it has one fixture, 2, 4, or however many are needed
for the number of seedlings one wants to start each
spring.

But people also use flourescents in sockets, metal halide,
led lighting (still pricy), natural light in greenhouses
or on enclosed porches, garden windows, seedlings
indoors beside picture windows, etc. If your seedlings
are tall and slender and kind of wimpy looking, usually
they need more light. You can adjust that a little by
blowing a little fan across them and brushing them with
your fingers. They will grow stockier plants with stronger
stems.

zeroma · January 19, 2013

Thanks dice for that website. While, I don't need one that large, the hubby can modify something nice for me.

January 9, 2013	#1
tqn626 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: San Gabriel, CA Posts: 145	Seed Starting Kits Question I just recently bought a Jiffy 72 cell hexagon seed starting kit. Never used a seed starting kit before. I was wondering if i can turn it into a self watering kit by placing 1/2 inch wet paper towels at the bottom and then filling it with water and then place the pots on top of the paper towels. My seed starting mix will contain at least 1/3rd coco coir to act as a wicking agent. Another method i was thinking is putting cotton wicks through each pot, but that cost a little more. Last edited by tqn626; January 9, 2013 at 04:49 AM.

January 9, 2013	#3
tqn626 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: San Gabriel, CA Posts: 145	It's just basic container, Pots, and dome. What's a good type of lightbulb to use to grow from seed to transplant. I have a 2700k 2700 lumens 42 watt fluroscents bulbs, will that be enough? Thinking of getting this if it not enough. http://www.amazon.com/Full-Spectrum-...pr_product_top Last edited by tqn626; January 11, 2013 at 02:45 AM.

January 17, 2013	#4
dice Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: PNW Posts: 4,743	This thread has good information on flourescent lighting for starting seeds: http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=24451 Google "capillary mat" for the kind of water source that you are describing. __________________ -- alias Last edited by dice; January 17, 2013 at 08:46 PM. Reason: sp

January 17, 2013	#5
Hotwired Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Ithaca, NY - USDA 5b Posts: 241	tqn626 .... 2700K is too red to start plants inside. You need a lot more Blue light. I found that 6500K is optimum. 2600K ...... http://imageshack.us/a/img543/3018/w...tecflcurve.jpg 6500K ...... http://imageshack.us/a/img560/3693/daylightcflcurve.jpg __________________ Give a man a fish and he eats for a day - Teach him to fish and he eats for a lifetime.

January 17, 2013	#12
dice Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: PNW Posts: 4,743	For future consideration: http://www.tsflowers.com/plantstand.html __________________ -- alias

January 9, 2013	#2
Doug9345 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Durhamville,NY Posts: 2,706	I'm not familiar with the kit but if I was going to do cotton wicks as cheap as I could I'd cut up an old pair of jeans or a denim skirt. Another option I'd try would be cotton cloths line.

January 17, 2013	#6
Crandrew Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: asdf Posts: 1,202	hotwired is correct. You only really need the red spectrum for the flower and fruit stages. The blue light will encourage root and vegetative growth.

January 17, 2013	#7
ScottinAtlanta Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 2,593	I just use the T12 bulbs on chains to raise and lower them, and they have worked well enough and are cheap.

January 18, 2013	#14
dice Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: PNW Posts: 4,743	Whatever works. That pvc plant stand with 4' flourescents is a common sort of setup for starting seedlings, whether it has one fixture, 2, 4, or however many are needed for the number of seedlings one wants to start each spring. But people also use flourescents in sockets, metal halide, led lighting (still pricy), natural light in greenhouses or on enclosed porches, garden windows, seedlings indoors beside picture windows, etc. If your seedlings are tall and slender and kind of wimpy looking, usually they need more light. You can adjust that a little by blowing a little fan across them and brushing them with your fingers. They will grow stockier plants with stronger stems. __________________ -- alias

January 19, 2013	#15
zeroma Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2012 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 637	Thanks dice for that website. While, I don't need one that large, the hubby can modify something nice for me.