Question
Hi Tom,

I recently tried starting a wide variety of seeds in one of those small plastic greenhouse planters.  I used potting soil, watered from the bottom, left the lights on 24 hours, and the temperature was about 70'.  Less than a quarter of the seeds sprouted, and even the hardiest ones look like brown sticks.  Should I use a special soil, should I mimic the daylight hours with the lights, and is there a starter solution that could help?  I'm going to use a bottom heater next time as well.  Thanks for your time.

Warren

Answer
Hi Warren,
Thanx for your question.  I use regular potting soil and water from the bottom also.  Place the trays underneath a 40watt shop light.  Regular incandescent won't work.  The shop light should be placed about 8 inches above the tray.  Keep the temp at about 70.  After the seedlings sprout (some will sprout in a few days and others can take weeks, check the seed packets for germination times) and have their first set of true leaves start transplanting them into separate cells.  I hope this helps.
Tom