Lack of Sunshine What to do??
 

I should have started some of my seeds already. However in Northern
Ireland this time of year the Sunshine is in short supply. I will not
beable to have any indoor lighting for another 3 weeks or so. What
seedlings will be OK with minimal lighting for that time from
germination until I can get lights?
I know they will be somewhat leggy but I am wondering once the lights
are on how will they recover? OR will they still grow on just as fast
if I wait until I can apply the light to them.
I am mainly wantig to know about tomatoes and peppers as for some
varieties I only have 5 or 6 seeds so I don't want to waste them by
starting now if they have no chance to recover or by sowing them so
late I don't get any fruit from them (and as a result no seed for next
year).So I should really have started them already.....but I was
waiting to see if the sunshine came. I am also getting a greenhouse
(8'x6') in about 3-4 weeks time.

Thanks
Julie

Lack of Sunshine What to do??
 

"Julie" wrote in message
om...
I should have started some of my seeds already. However in Northern
Ireland this time of year the Sunshine is in short supply. I will not
beable to have any indoor lighting for another 3 weeks or so. What
seedlings will be OK with minimal lighting for that time from
germination until I can get lights?
I know they will be somewhat leggy but I am wondering once the lights
are on how will they recover? OR will they still grow on just as fast
if I wait until I can apply the light to them.
I am mainly wantig to know about tomatoes and peppers as for some
varieties I only have 5 or 6 seeds so I don't want to waste them by
starting now if they have no chance to recover or by sowing them so
late I don't get any fruit from them (and as a result no seed for next
year).So I should really have started them already.....but I was
waiting to see if the sunshine came. I am also getting a greenhouse
(8'x6') in about 3-4 weeks time.

Thanks
Julie
Hi, Julie, I'd wait if I were you. If they start as leggy, pale things they
will take as long to recover. Wait and start with strong healthy ones -
they'll do better in the long run. Well they do in dismal dark Aiberdeen:-)

Chris S

Lack of Sunshine What to do??
 

On 10 Mar 2004 12:32:34 -0800, (Julie) wrote:

I should have started some of my seeds already. However in Northern
Ireland this time of year the Sunshine is in short supply. I will not
beable to have any indoor lighting for another 3 weeks or so. What
seedlings will be OK with minimal lighting for that time from
germination until I can get lights?

I was tempted by the subject line to be a smart-mouth and reply
"move!" but I won't. :-) I think Chris is right that it would be
better to start them off right than hope they'd recover. I never found
windowsill light adequate, and finally got a greenhouse, but many
report raising healthy seedlings under artificial (fluorescent) light.
Full-spectrum Gro(w) Lights are pricey, but apparently ordinary
domestic tubes work, too. The trick is to keep the lights just a
couple of inches above the seedlings. If you search on

seedlings fluorescent

you will find pictures and descriptions of some of these arrangements.

Lack of Sunshine What to do??
 

On 10 Mar 2004 12:32:34 -0800, (Julie) wrote:

I should have started some of my seeds already. However in Northern
Ireland this time of year the Sunshine is in short supply. I will not
beable to have any indoor lighting for another 3 weeks or so. What
seedlings will be OK with minimal lighting for that time from
germination until I can get lights?

I was tempted by the subject line to be a smart-mouth and reply
"move!" but I won't. :-) I think Chris is right that it would be
better to start them off right than hope they'd recover. I never found
windowsill light adequate, and finally got a greenhouse, but many
report raising healthy seedlings under artificial (fluorescent) light.
Full-spectrum Gro(w) Lights are pricey, but apparently ordinary
domestic tubes work, too. The trick is to keep the lights just a
couple of inches above the seedlings. If you search on

seedlings fluorescent

you will find pictures and descriptions of some of these arrangements.

Lack of Sunshine What to do??
 

On 10 Mar 2004 12:32:34 -0800, (Julie) wrote:

I should have started some of my seeds already. However in Northern
Ireland this time of year the Sunshine is in short supply. I will not
beable to have any indoor lighting for another 3 weeks or so. What
seedlings will be OK with minimal lighting for that time from
germination until I can get lights?

I was tempted by the subject line to be a smart-mouth and reply
"move!" but I won't. :-) I think Chris is right that it would be
better to start them off right than hope they'd recover. I never found
windowsill light adequate, and finally got a greenhouse, but many
report raising healthy seedlings under artificial (fluorescent) light.
Full-spectrum Gro(w) Lights are pricey, but apparently ordinary
domestic tubes work, too. The trick is to keep the lights just a
couple of inches above the seedlings. If you search on

seedlings fluorescent

you will find pictures and descriptions of some of these arrangements.

Lack of Sunshine What to do??
 

On 10 Mar 2004 12:32:34 -0800, (Julie) wrote:

I should have started some of my seeds already. However in Northern
Ireland this time of year the Sunshine is in short supply. I will not
beable to have any indoor lighting for another 3 weeks or so. What
seedlings will be OK with minimal lighting for that time from
germination until I can get lights?

I was tempted by the subject line to be a smart-mouth and reply
"move!" but I won't. :-) I think Chris is right that it would be
better to start them off right than hope they'd recover. I never found
windowsill light adequate, and finally got a greenhouse, but many
report raising healthy seedlings under artificial (fluorescent) light.
Full-spectrum Gro(w) Lights are pricey, but apparently ordinary
domestic tubes work, too. The trick is to keep the lights just a
couple of inches above the seedlings. If you search on

seedlings fluorescent

you will find pictures and descriptions of some of these arrangements.

Lack of Sunshine What to do??
 

Frogleg wrote in message

I was tempted by the subject line to be a smart-mouth and reply
"move!" but I won't. :-)

Thanks ever so much for not being a smart-mouth..:-D.....It is greatly
appreciated...:-D I would move if I could...(Some where warm and
sunny all the time.....hummmm.....sounds so goooooood)

I will wait...should be too long now before I can get both a green
house and some lights....

I did start some chili peppers on the radiator....to see how fast they
would come up..Quite quick I must say. I have extra seeds for the
chilies so I thought it would be fun to see what they did with the
present lighting situation....I'll have a place for them if they make
it till then.

Cheers
Julie
N,Ireland

Lack of Sunshine What to do??
 

Curse the darkness.

Wait until you get that greenhouse before planting those seeds. There's no
reason to be in such a hurry.


"Julie" wrote in message
om...
I should have started some of my seeds already. However in Northern
Ireland this time of year the Sunshine is in short supply. I will not
beable to have any indoor lighting for another 3 weeks or so. What
seedlings will be OK with minimal lighting for that time from
germination until I can get lights?
I know they will be somewhat leggy but I am wondering once the lights
are on how will they recover? OR will they still grow on just as fast
if I wait until I can apply the light to them.
I am mainly wantig to know about tomatoes and peppers as for some
varieties I only have 5 or 6 seeds so I don't want to waste them by
starting now if they have no chance to recover or by sowing them so
late I don't get any fruit from them (and as a result no seed for next
year).So I should really have started them already.....but I was
waiting to see if the sunshine came. I am also getting a greenhouse
(8'x6') in about 3-4 weeks time.

Thanks
Julie

Lack of Sunshine What to do??
 

Curse the darkness.

Wait until you get that greenhouse before planting those seeds. There's no
reason to be in such a hurry.


"Julie" wrote in message
om...
I should have started some of my seeds already. However in Northern
Ireland this time of year the Sunshine is in short supply. I will not
beable to have any indoor lighting for another 3 weeks or so. What
seedlings will be OK with minimal lighting for that time from
germination until I can get lights?
I know they will be somewhat leggy but I am wondering once the lights
are on how will they recover? OR will they still grow on just as fast
if I wait until I can apply the light to them.
I am mainly wantig to know about tomatoes and peppers as for some
varieties I only have 5 or 6 seeds so I don't want to waste them by
starting now if they have no chance to recover or by sowing them so
late I don't get any fruit from them (and as a result no seed for next
year).So I should really have started them already.....but I was
waiting to see if the sunshine came. I am also getting a greenhouse
(8'x6') in about 3-4 weeks time.

Thanks
Julie