Germinating question

Have seeds in moist paper towel. Have pots ready to go. Question I have not been able to find answer for--when seedlings (seed, root) go into the soil, when exactly is the best time to turn on the lights. Do I start the lights immediately or give them some dark time. The last batch of seeds I planted turned out terrible for probably several reasons but just wanted to know the answer to this question. Thanks everyone.

Light doesn't matter until it breaks the soil... but the heat from the light will be beneficial if your room is a little cold (under 77ish).

I like to either put my seeds that I planted in a humidity dome or just put clear plastic over the tops of the cups till it sprouts. (So my medium doesn't dry and kill) I also put a seedling warmer mat under the cups as well.

From my understanding, you don't have to worry about light cycle at planting. After mine *In my avatar* sprouted, I kept it in dark until the first light cycle that came up. I think she waited in darkness for about 3 or 4 hours. In theory, the plant should have enough energy as its coming up through soil on it's own.

My second one was done in the same manner, and shes already bigger then the first at her age.

I never liked the paper towel method, I just planted in dirt, but lately I been using root riot plugs and I think I like them even better.

toaster struedel said:

I never liked the paper towel method, I just planted in dirt, but lately I been using root riot plugs and I think I like them even better.

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Totally agree. All this paper towel shit is BS. Just plant it in medium and have patience.

You can turn the lights in whenever you want. Wen I do seeds I actually turn them on before they come up. The heat off the light keeps it warm and I feel like they grow towards the source of heat/light. Sure it's a waste of power. But I don't care.

My reasoning for this is because I first started using a heat mat. But found seeds growing towards the mat and not out the top.