what is max temp.

[kycountryboy]

last year before i had knee surgery, i played around with 4 ft lights and had very good results, actually it the only way i will start plants from now on. last year was later in the spring. my building isn't heated when i am not there,
here in ky who knows what tomarrows temp will be, it was 65 sat and snowing today. i made a box for my lights, it is insulated with 2 layers and i have access holes to cool it down, i can remove all layers for later, when temp are warmer. i just started seeds this weekend what is the max temp, i should shoot for and the min. for starting the seeds, before i put trays in there all lights on i had 90, but that is before it cooled down, nows the temps is in 80-85, do i need to cool it down during the time my seeds are sprouting.

[kycountryboy]

i just seen the temp. guidelines in this forum . anybodys answer will be welcome

[Cole_Robbie]

My germinating box is hotter than what most people here use. It gets 95+ in there. Heat is speed, and I am impatient. All I did was cut some holes in the box and cover them with clear plastic so that the sprouts grow upward; there are no lights. I try to take everything out as soon as it sprouts. I get tomatoes to germinate in about three days; lettuce takes only two days.

[Doug9345]

85°F is alright. 90°F scares me because you are getting to close to the seeds not germinating and dying.

[decherdt]

Is it OK to "internet search" Tom Clothier germination temperature? I keep my tomato seed trays 80 ish (77-80 may be optimal - 104 F is too much) and cooler than my peppers (put peppers on top of the tomato light with another light over them)

[loulac]

Plenty of information on the subject can be found in different places. I don’t remember them all, only the following :

http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/info_tomtemp.htm
The Effect of Extreme Temperatures on the Tomato and Pepper Crop
I germinate at 78F to 80F ( 20 à 35) C)with the domes on.
Once the seedlings are up 2" high I remove the domes so air can start circulating. This is a critical stage where damping off can be a big problem. I leave them on the 78F (25.5° C) blanket for about 3 more days until they get their true leaves, and then move them to a 60F ( 15.5 °C) blanket for a week until I'm ready to transplant from multi-cell trays to pots. At this point they are hardy enough to withstand 40F (4.5° C) lows.
For tomatoes, germination peaks at 86F (30°C), but is still pretty high from about 68F ( 20°C) to 95F (35°C), and is lower at 41-68F (5°C – 20°C)..

http://www.heirloomseeds.com/germination.html
seed germination soil temperatures
Pepper 25.5 to 29.5 C 78-85F 0 to 14 days
Tomato 24 to 25.5 C 75-78F 7 to 14 days

Tomodori, a French site :
Tomato
Minimum temp : 10C / 12F
optimum range : 16C - 29C / 61 – 84F
optimum temp : 29C 84F
maximum temp : 35C 95F

http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=25599&page=5 post 74 etc etc. very rich

Using a thermostat, at least a thermometer, is recommended unless you are ready to roast your seeds sooner or later…

[Doug9345]

I reread you post and realized that the temperatures you posted were air temps. The soil could be more or less than what you have measured. I too recommend a probe type thermometer. Take readings at the top and bottom of you trays, pots or whatever. Check more than one as the temperature can vary from one to the next.

[loulac]

I think given temperatures are advised for the soil see

Remember - the temperatures listed below are for the soil, not the air.

on the link given at the top of the page.
I've just remembered a useful site : http://tomclothier.hort.net/page11.html
with plenty of details.

[Doug9345]

I'm sorry Loulac my comment was directed at the original poster which basically says the same thing as you do. I should have made it clear who I was responding to.

[loulac]

No problem Doug9345. Tomatovillians are used to making mistakes. Can anybody here certify that he / she has never bungled a sowing of tomatoes ?

[kycountryboy]

i made it through the cold snap in my unheated buillding. my boxes are off the ground i had room to put a temp controled oil filled heater under plants shelf held temp at 70-72. seeds have been out 12-14 days. i have plants 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 high and most have 2nd set of leaves at top. i am extremely happy. i might post pictures later this weekend

[ginger2778]

Originally Posted by kycountryboy

i made it through the cold snap in my unheated buillding. my boxes are off the ground i had room to put a temp controled oil filled heater under plants shelf held temp at 70-72. seeds have been out 12-14 days. i have plants 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 high and most have 2nd set of leaves at top. i am extremely happy. i might post pictures later this weekend

Time now to take them and run! Have fun with your new successful garden!

Marsha