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Monrovia, CA

Well I just managed to put 11 seeds in peat pots yestarday...I know, everyone else has plants in the ground already. I have a question...do you maintain the 85 degree germination temp 24 hrs a day or let the pots cool with the night time temps? This is S.California so the day temps are around 80 and night time temps have been in the low 60's. Is that enough? Do I need artificial heat at night as well?

Thanks in advance for the helpful info.
Michelle

5/16/2004 11:11:16 AM

Napa, CA.

I keep my seeds at the same temp. day and night. I have 100% germination with that method.

5/16/2004 11:31:02 AM

[email protected]

Continuous around the clock 85F until emergence here. Then a gradual decrease (or not) to whatever the outdoor environment they're going into. Acclimating to natural sunlight & humidity would likely be the issue at this time I would say.

I don't think you're too late. AG's only require 120 days. We can start June 1st in some areas & still finish well on Oct 1.

5/16/2004 11:31:45 AM

Monrovia, CA

Thankyou so much!!! I'm off to get the heat lamp and the heating pad!!
Michelle

5/16/2004 8:30:43 PM

porterville, calif.

Michelle I put my seeds into soak last Sat. Planted them sunday morining In pots. Put them on heating pad at about 86. Amost all of them were up were up Tuesday nite. I had 100 percent germination by wed. Im planting them In the morning. You still have plenty of time

5/16/2004 10:42:42 PM

Monrovia, CA

Well I put the 11 on a heating pad on medium, put a clear plastic cover on and set it infront of the heat lamp that I'm using to keep baby turkeys warm. The temp is alittle over 80 so I'll try the heat pad on high to see if I can make 85.
Thanks for the encouragement!

5/17/2004 10:22:53 AM

Appalachian Mtns.

80 degrees is fine. Using the extra heat via a heat pad and you're risking an overheat situation. It's doubtful you can set that pad for only 5 more degrees.
I'd leave it at 80, you'll be fine.

5/17/2004 1:24:51 PM

Monrovia, CA

Last night the temp was at 90...so I loosened the cover alittle..How critical is this 80 and 85 degrees? Is 90 too warm and 78 too cold?
Again, thankyou!
Michelle

5/17/2004 1:47:41 PM

Appalachian Mtns.

Some folks use no heat at all, I just germinated 2 seeds without any myself, at room temp. The heat is an aid, it helps but isn't absolutely required. Some say don't go past 90 degrees, some may say 85, and others may say 80.
80 degrees is fine, adding more heat and you may damage the seed. There are no absolutes with temps...below 60 and it *may* take longer, above 90 and you *may* cook it.....remember, there are no heating pads in nature.

5/17/2004 2:56:39 PM

Murphy North Carolina

I am doing it the old way.. Just nature.. I agree, it can take longer, but my litle one's are poking up through the hill. But then I am blessed with warm temps in North Carolina.

5/17/2004 3:39:33 PM

Webster, NY

I put mine in baggies with damp paper towels and put on a heating pad with a towel in between.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=17638

I generally get 100% germination with this method. I did this without the towel on some test seeds and got nothing. I think it was too hot. The towel helped. But, as noted above, there are many ways to get them to germinate.

5/17/2004 4:17:50 PM

Monrovia, CA

I seemed to have gotten things settled at around 83. I've always had better luck just germinating them straight in the ground but upon reading about how the plant will 'run' opposite the first true leaf then it makes sense to start them in pots in order to be able to set the plant correctly. Also with this 'June Gloom' (overcast days) that we are famous for you might have faster germination the artificial way but I always thought the plant that was germinated in the ground was stronger than one in a pot that has to be transaplanted later...I guess it's all a matter of balance and personal preference(not to mention timing<G>)
Thankyou all!!

5/17/2004 9:04:32 PM