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Pataskala,OH

I am trying the lightbulb in a cooler seed starting method for my watermelon seeds this year.

Do I just put a 25 watt lightbulb in a cooler with the lid part way open and put the peat pots with the seeds in them already for this method? Also do I put mycorrhizae in the dirt with the seed? I would think 90F would hurt the mycorrhizae and it will be 48 hours at least until the seed sprouts a root for it to attach to.

4/21/2012 3:17:12 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Soil easily gets above 90 degrees in the summer. Most micro-organism can survive up to 120 and are killed @ 140 degrees. remember monitor the soil temp not the air temp

4/21/2012 7:26:47 PM

Lloydminster/AB

There are places that sell heat mat thermostats, off hand I know http://www.charleysgreenhouse.com/8043-Digital-Heat-Mat-Thermostat--E3443-.htm That should work with a light too. Our whole season depends on our specially selected seeds, why take a chance. I use a small heat mat in the cooler and stick the probe in the pot. You have too monitor the humidity a bit but this works for me. I put myko in the pot and again when transplanting.

4/21/2012 8:58:06 PM

Lloydminster/AB

There are places that sell heat mat thermostats, off hand I know http://www.charleysgreenhouse.com/8043-Digital-Heat-Mat-Thermostat--E3443-.htm That should work with a light too. Our whole season depends on our specially selected seeds, why take a chance. I use a small heat mat in the cooler and stick the probe in the pot. You have too monitor the humidity a bit but this works for me. I put myko in the pot and again when transplanting.

4/21/2012 8:59:00 PM

Colorado

15 watt is better.25 watt gets too hot unless youve got a large cooler-keep the lid open a half inch and dont put the peat pots right next to the bulb and you'll be good

4/22/2012 1:46:38 AM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

I use either a 15 watt incandescent or a 26 watt compact flourescent. I keep a thermometer in the cooler to keep an eye on the temps. My cooler will hold up to 10 5" peat pots and this year with the flourescent I have had good success.

4/26/2012 1:31:52 PM