Help once again...

I spent a lot of time getting my seeds planted (a ton). I have my lights all fixed up. I think I know what I'm doing, but don't want all this work to be for nothing, so I'm looking for some tips. I covered all the seed trays in plastic and made them quite moist. I put the lights on them and left them on all night. That's the part I'm not sure about. Do I constantly leave the lights on, or do I let them have some dark time too? And I take the plastic off when they sprout? What about the lights then? Thanks in advance!

Shannon, I turn the lights off at night, Giving the seeds an enviorment close to mother nature's. Although sometimes I fall asleep and forget - they survive an occasional wild night of light.

Yes! Be sure to remove the plastic when the first seed germinates or they will damp off. I don't cover my seed trays at all.

I keep the light as close as I can to the seedlings without it touching any leaves. Otherwise they will stretch towards the light and become leggy. I also pinch back many of my seedlings to encourage bushier plants.

Some people also suggest dropping the temperature in the room by 10 degrees at night.

i bought timers that turn the lights on and off.,you can set it for spring hours. I have alot of the plants under timer light this year for the added light. I keep the lights close to seed trays..adds heat. I dont have any heat mats-wish i did!
GOOD LUCK...i'm waiting for some lil sprouts myself!
dori

Notmartha

You can build your own heat trays cheaper than any on the market. To do it, build a wooden box sized to support your planting flats. Line the box with foam insulation sheeting. Then mount a lightbulb fixture inside the box, low enough so the bulb does not touch the flat.

A 15 watt bulb is all you'll need to maintain proper heat. If you build a box big enough to hold two flats, then a light fixture on each end might be necessary.

I make the boxes out of wood recycled from pallets. So there's only the cost of the foam and fixtures. Works out to less than $5 per heat tray.

Thanks so much, guys! You do still leave the plastic on at night when turning the lights off, right?

Shannon: Leave the plastic on until you see the seeds sprouting, only if you see one seed sprouting you remove the plastic.

Seedlings need 12 to 16 hours of light daily, they need a rest period of darkness, too.
If you have an excess of moisture build up on the plastic, remove it for an hour or so daily, but put it back on until sprouting occurs. Debby

There are some seeds that germinate in total darkness so be sure you follow the directions on the package. I made the mistake of putting away a flat that needed darkness and forgot to check on them. When I finally remembered they had all germinated and looked like a bunch of sick white worms I had to start them all over again.

I use a timer also. I set it for 14-16 hours. I keep the lights right on top of the seedlings and move them up as the plants grow. This way you get healthy plants that aren't 'stretched'. I also keep an osilating fan on the seedlings all the time for two reasons. One, the air circulation helps prevent fungus or damping off and two, I think the gentle 'wind' produced helps the seedlings toughen up to be strong stemmed.