Will this be sufficient for seedlings? If so for how long?

G

GrowtheDank

Member
Well as you can see this is my starter box area.

I have 1 WARM WHITE cfl hanging in here but could fit 2 but not have much room.

After germination I plan to put at least 2 seedlings in here

HOW LONG would get the maximum potential out of this set up before transplanting outside? As in keep them here for 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks?

I am using dixie cups and miracle grow starter soil.

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Chuckdizzle

Chuckdizzle

Well-Known Member
From my experiences, to get the most out of the seedling starting set up that you have there, I would leave them in there for 2 weeks with two CFLs going (preferably one CFL located directly above each seedling). After 2 weeks in dixie cups they should have some pretty good root balls and will need a transplant to a larger container or you could plant them directly in the soil outside.

One important tip for you would be to have a small fan in there gently blowing on the seedlings so when you want to move them outdoors they'll have a headstart on being "hardened" so they'll be able to survive what mother nature has in store. Also its important to have enough humidity during the seedling stage for them to grow as fast as they can. Besides putting a humidifier in there you can put a sponge (or some sponges) in there and soak them regularly as they give up the water to the air. Something I've done in a small setup like that is use twist ties to suspend the sponge to the front of the fan's cage and soak the sponge as needed, this way the fan is blowing more humid air on the seedlings and won't dry them out as fast. I look forward to see how it goes for you! Good luck!
 
S

spek9

Well-Known Member
Chuckdizzle said:
From my experiences, to get the most out of the seedling starting set up that you have there, I would leave them in there for 2 weeks with two CFLs going (preferably one CFL located directly above each seedling). After 2 weeks in dixie cups they should have some pretty good root balls and will need a transplant to a larger container or you could plant them directly in the soil outside.

One important tip for you would be to have a small fan in there gently blowing on the seedlings so when you want to move them outdoors they'll have a headstart on being "hardened" so they'll be able to survive what mother nature has in store. Also its important to have enough humidity during the seedling stage for them to grow as fast as they can. Besides putting a humidifier in there you can put a sponge (or some sponges) in there and soak them regularly as they give up the water to the air. Something I've done in a small setup like that is use twist ties to suspend the sponge to the front of the fan's cage and soak the sponge as needed, this way the fan is blowing more humid air on the seedlings and won't dry them out as fast. I look forward to see how it goes for you! Good luck!
Click to expand...
I agree with Chuck. To add to that in a technical sense:

The way you have your extension cord, you should get another plug-in light adapter and connect it to the opposite side of the plug. This will perfectly balance out the lights in a horizontal manner, and then put each seedling under its own light.

If you're only going to be indoors for a couple to three weeks, this should be adequate light for two babies before relocation. Just keep the lights between 2 and 4" above the plants.

-spek
 
9

99Watt$723Pot$

Active Member
You need more light then just one 20w CFL for 2 plants. Try using at lest 2-4 or just get one bigger 60w (250w equivalent) CFL, also fan not a bad idea. If ya get some ventilation in there you can have those lights extremely close. I would give em 3 or 4 weeks before ya move outside.
Good Luck!
 
Chuckdizzle

Chuckdizzle

Well-Known Member
Don't forget the fan! If you transplant to outside after 3 weeks and they've never been blown around, they will wilt and topple over and it might be difficult to save them.
 
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