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When to move from heat mat to grow lights.

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Posted by katiesommer 5a (My Page) on
Fri, Mar 14, 14 at 11:35

I have a couple of flats of tomato and basil that germinated beautifully, and now I'm wondering when I should move them from the heat and under the grow lights. Some sources say when the first true leaves emerge, and some say 2 weeks after that. Can anyone help? Thanks so much.

Katie

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RE: When to move from heat mat to grow lights.

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  • Posted by digdirt 6b-7a North AR (My Page) on
    Fri, Mar 14, 14 at 12:05

Some sources say when the first true leaves emerge, and some say 2 weeks after that.

Don't know the source of that info but it is dangerously wrong. That is when you can do the transplanting NOT when you remove them from heat or under the light. If you waited that long they would all be well past leggy, cooked and dead.

Plants are moved from heat mats at the first signs of germination and moved immediately under lights if they aren't already there.

Dave

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RE: When to move from heat mat to grow lights.

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Oh, no! I hope it's not too late. They've been germinated for 5 days now. :(

What do you guys think? They are healthy looking, but they do look leggy.

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RE: When to move from heat mat to grow lights.

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  • Posted by digdirt 6b-7a North AR (My Page) on
    Fri, Mar 14, 14 at 15:36

Sorry but yes, they are very leggy. All that stem is due to too much heat and not nearly enough light.

Depending on what they are some might be able to be salvaged by transplanting them deeply now and burying all that stem to just a hair below the tops.. Better yet, start over.

Dave

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RE: When to move from heat mat to grow lights.

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Agree... Way leggy... but I've been there too. Here is what I've done from experience that seems to work:

>> CFL or T5 TOUCHING the dome on your seed starting greenhouse cover right at the start of day 1 (this way if you miss the germination because you're at work, etc...)
>> SOIL-LESS mediums such as ROCKWOOL are SUPERIOR to soil for GERMINATION PURPOSES.
>> Use a heat mat WITH a thermostat controller. Regulated 77F gives me about 75% germination in 3 days, and THIS season, 100% in 7 days (has to be a fluke, but still pretty good!).
>> As soon as you see the first seed break the top, open all vents to MAX and discontinue use of HEAT MAT.

It is NOT too late to start again! But start to harden off asap and see what makes it.

Good luck,

LC

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