From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Ontario, Canada.

I have recently received a request from my nephew for a good quality starting kit. Over the years I have kind of pieced together all the basic components for indoor seed starting. It's sort of a Mickey mouse system not really good for a starter kit. I have suggested some products but I was wondering if anyone had any comprehensive links to which I could guide him for more information.
Lights, heat mats, trays, special soil? food? etc?

Russ L.

Any help you guys could provide would great.

12/15/2005 8:27:32 AM

Rhode Island

KAHUNA
as you know most seed starting kits are self made. not a big deal to make. heres what ours looks like.

large plastic container ( approximately 2 and 1/2 ft long, 1 and 1/2 ft deep and 1 and 1/2 ft wide )with a dozen holes drilled evenly around the bottom. buy them at any walmart etc.
attached to the bottom is three ceiling light sockets.( we use 60 watt bulbs )and an electrical cord

we put a removable heavy gauge screen around the middle of the container ( in case you need to change a bulb )to hold the peat pots during germination.
run a bead of wood around the area where you want the screening to rest.
also we use a thermometer and a clear plexiglass cover that can be adjusted for temp control.

very basic but its served us well for many years. pap

12/15/2005 9:38:53 AM

Ontario, Canada.

pap, you've got my interest. Thanks.

Jim, pap is one of the best there is.

12/15/2005 9:59:51 AM

Santa Cruz, CA

Pap, do you have a picture you could post of your home made seed starting kit? I'm not quite sure on how the light bulbs are attached. Thanks

12/15/2005 12:11:36 PM

Montoursville, PA

I use a camping cooler placed on a home type heating pad to arrive at 80 degrees inside. Piece of cake. See the set up and comments in my 2003 and 2004 diary. Price is right. :)

12/15/2005 12:36:55 PM

Rhode Island

thanks kahuna i appreciate the compliment.

creek, i dont have the expreience to post a picture but the light instalation its really quite simple.
in fact if a person has no electrical experience then they should buy a pre-wired stand up light socket with a base that will be free standing in any spot on the floor of your germination chamber.
these also come with their own thumb roll switch, wire and plug, so you can shut one off if need be.

ron and i also use these stand-up lights outside next to the young plants during the first couple weeks after planting. ( we use the 60 watt black light for the outside)
--- black throws heat but does not stress the young plant with constant light.

use caution, it throws off enough heat when placed six or eight inches away from the young plant , then cover the plant and fixture with a large cardboard box or foam container.

12/15/2005 2:15:52 PM

Norton, MA

20 watt light bulb suspended in an almost closed less than 1 cu. ft. styrofoam box = 90*F. AleX Noel.

12/15/2005 6:17:27 PM

Anamosa, IA [email protected]

Check entry 12 of my diary for my system. 4" peat pots, commercial seed starting mix with a Gel-E-Bean michorizzae capsule near the bottom, a large plastic cooler, a trouble light with a 15 watt bulb. A cheap thermometer to monitor the temperature. Works great.

12/16/2005 9:05:09 AM