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Indoor Seed Starting Basics: Soil, Light, and Transplanting

For successful indoor seed starting:

Soil: Regular potting mix is fine; soilless mix reduces disease.
Light: 40W fluorescent shop light 8 inches above trays; 12–14 hours/day.
Water: Bottom-water; keep moist, not soggy.
Transplant: Move to individual cells when first true leaves appear.

Incandescent bulbs are useless for seedlings. A simple shop light fixture works perfectly.

Seeding and Propagation: Seedling Light Requirements: Shade Plants Still Need Bright Light When Young; Seed Propagation Guide: Bananas, Lithops, Olives & Norfolk Island Pine; Starting Lavender from Seed: A Proven Method; Universal Seed-Starting Guide: Cannas, Daylilies, and Sago Palms; Starting Cannas and Sago Palms from Seed: Detailed Instructions; Seed Starting Tomatoes and Peppers: Light, Temperature, and Timing; Indoor Seed Starting Basics: Soil, Light, and Transplanting; Diagnosing Yellowing Lower Leaves on Pelargonium Seedlings; Late Blight Resistance and Seed Starting Success; Seed Starting Soil: Density, pH, Sterilization, and DIY Mix Recipes

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