Tropicals & Tender Perennials: A few greenhouse blooms..., 1 by Malestrom

Malestrom wrote:
The basement is setup with basic shop lights and a small oil filled electric radiator to keep the temps above 65 degrees.
I use this to start seeds, and keep my cuttings from going dormant.
If I keep them going all winter they still have a 5 week week rest when I bring them in.
This allows a longer bloom season come the following spring.
Since you are just starting out, I would make #1 priority taking care of the rooted cuttings you have and becoming educated about them before spending any $$ on the more expensive ones. This is no poor mans (womans) hobby. You will no doubt aquire several gift cuttings so be patient till you learn a lil about rooting, feeding, soil conditions etc...
I would start with Aztec Gold, Celadine, and Samoan Fluff or another white and maybe some pinks too. Select easy ones. Once you have your plumie feet so to speak, move onto reds like Scott Pratt and Donald Angus, Hilo Beauty etc...
It is a heartbreaker to learn on these and lose them
So start cheap!!
Seed starting is a hoot as welll!!
You cant go wrong there..
Be sure to treat them like Hot pepper plants..
Very warm soil, high humidity and intense light.
I put lights right over them like 1/2 inch above.
anyway...
The heater is under the table so it heats the table surface and thus the seedlings soil as well as the air.
VERY IMPORTANT!! SOIL TEMP IS EVERYTHING!! AIR TEMP IS NOT AS IMPORTANT
chew on all that and keep us posted as you go...
;) good luck to ya! :)


This message was edited Feb 13, 2006 1:23 PM