Two days?

We got our seeds in tall black plastic cups with NK starter disc things and a bag of Jiffy starter soil on Wednesday around Noon. Yesterday, Thursday, after ordering it Wednesday morning, the heating pad was delivered from Amazon so we added that in under the tray.

And as of about an hour ago we have our first sprout.

What in the hootin' hadrosaur?! Two days?

My cole crop starts were up starting at the second day with the heating pad. I don't remember if it was the kale, brussels sprouts, or brocolli. My pepper seedlings broke the soil at 4 days. Those heating pads really make a difference.

Jeez, I guess so. That pad was plugged in four hours before bed last night, and then of course since this morning. Dang.

EDIT: It's a broccoli plant by the way. And it's in one of two cups without the little expando discs because we ran out.

Those seeds know a good thing when the feel the heat on their bottoms!!!

Heating mats are a great addition for seed starting. Watch your watering, while their on the mat. They'll tend to dry out quicker with the heat applied.

Are you going to try any lighting? It'll help keep them from stretching and getting all spindly if you put'em under lights after they're done germinating.

---Dave

Yup mine broccoli/brussel sprouts had the same reaction! really makes a difference! Am I supposed to turn the mat when the lights go out?

I do. I have the lights and mats plugged into a surge protector with a switch on it. I simply flip one switch when I go to bed, and turn it back on when I get up.

Yes I have two desk lamps with daylight CFLs pointed at the tray.

I turn everything off at night.

Thanks for the quick replies! I have a timer for the lights so will just plug the heat matt into it...

navajas wrote:...the heating pad was delivered from Amazon so we added that in under the tray.
And as of about an hour ago we have our first sprout.
What in the hootin' hadrosaur?! Two days?

I recommend that you take a close look at ANSFG pg. 252. Mel's "Germination Times and Temperatures" chart gives us some valuable info. Mel also discusses "Soil Temperature" on pg. 116.
Four days is the shortest sprouting time for me, so far. I don't think it's good to rush the process!
You may want to consider reducing the heat setting on your pad, if possible. Mine stays at the lowest heat available and it's on 24/7 when sprouting seeds. Once any sign of sprouting is visible the sprout is taken off the heat pad and placed under very close grow lighting. Here's a couple pics of my set-up.

Top shelf is "For sprouting ONLY" right now. Both trays sit directly on the heat pad and are always covered to retain humidity! (The work light above them is only ON when needed to inspect the seeds, or to snap a picture! )


The grow light above the bottom tray is ONLY 1-2 inches above my sprouted seedlings and is on a timer which keeps it on 16 or so hours each day. There isn't a heating pad in the bottom tray.
Hope this helps, and Happy Gardening".

Windsor, I am curious, why do you remove the heat pad after the seeds sprout? I've never used a head pad, but thinking I might give it a whirl. I really don't know much about using one.

From what I've been reading (I have never sprouted seeds indoors using a heated germinateion pad...but I'm learning in preparatoin) is that once the seeds germinate, remove that individual plant form the heated pad and place under a grow light in a cool area (at least for spring/ fall veggies). The seeds like heat to germinate, but cool thereafter. It also helps to germinate in individual compartments...so if using a tray, cut all compartments away from each other prior to planting so they can be moved one at a time.

When my friends in the Philippines started some seeds, it only took 2 days to sprouts kale, tomatos and basil. Pics are in this old thread.

https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t5255-trying-to-spread-the-word

Of course it is hot and humid there all the time.

Kay

landarch wrote:From what I've been reading (I have never sprouted seeds indoors using a heated germinateion pad...but I'm learning in preparatoin) is that once the seeds germinate, remove that individual plant form the heated pad and place under a grow light in a cool area (at least for spring/ fall veggies). The seeds like heat to germinate, but cool thereafter. It also helps to germinate in individual compartments...so if using a tray, cut all compartments away from each other prior to planting so they can be moved one at a time.

Good to know. I've always supplied light, but never a heat pad. I can tell you my seeds have never sprouted in 2 days I'm the type that would try it on a heat pad just to point at the sprouts in a couple days and with an evil snicker, say "haha! Look at that!"

nKedrOoStEr wrote:Windsor, I am curious, why do you remove the heat pad after the seeds sprout? I've never used a head pad, but thinking I might give it a whirl. I really don't know much about using one.

landarch's reply is on target, but I learned to remove the sprouts from the heat pad several years ago while my eldest son and I experimented with, according to him, a new way to grow plants for the garden.

I appreciate the concern and advice. Seems everytime I log on to the forum and am excited and happy I find out why I should be worried and depressed. Thing is, I've got no more room and am out of money adjusting our plans to comply already so yet another batch of equipment is right out of the question.

I'll go ahead and leave the heat pad until all the plants pop their heads up and then take it out. That's the best I can do.

That's what I did last year. Got some good seedings. The heat mat really helped get the seeds to sprout, but I didn't have a big enough mat to put all my seeds on it, so as soon as they sprouted, I took them off and put more on. Some that didn't go on the mat took FOREVER to sprout

Kay

I had the same experience on the heat pad. I sowed DiCicco broccoli, 2 types of cabbages, arugula and mizuna (greens) and some of each crop sprouted in 2 days, some in 3 or 4. Then I tripped and fell into the table and knocked those babies to the cement floor. I managed to save a few arugula (I think, or mizuna since labels knocked as well) and 1 green cabbage and they are safely under the lights. I've got to start more today. The heat pad is a terrific asset to a gardener.

navajas, please don't get discouraged. You don't need any more equipment, just when your seeds sprout, move them under a light or into a very bright sunny window if you don't have a plant light or fixture you can put a "grow" bulb in. Even an incandescent bulb in a desk lamp or similar will work in a pinch.
Gardening is a learning curve, and believe me, we've all had times when we have been discouraged or frustrated... sometimes even after being elated over something.
On a positive note, once your seeds have hatched and you can move the babies, you have more room on the heat pad to start something else

curio wrote:navajas, please don't get discouraged. You don't need any more equipment, just when your seeds sprout, move them under a light or into a very bright sunny window if you don't have a plant light or fixture you can put a "grow" bulb in. Even an incandescent bulb in a desk lamp or similar will work in a pinch.
Gardening is a learning curve, and believe me, we've all had times when we have been discouraged or frustrated... sometimes even after being elated over something.
On a positive note, once your seeds have hatched and you can move the babies, you have more room on the heat pad to start something else

The sprouts occupy the only place I can put them, in front of the only south facing window in the house that can fit them, under the only two light fixtures I can shine on them. The only thing I could do to remove them from the pad is take them out from under the only grow lights I've got and sit them next to a window where they have a nice view of the snow that's falling.

I mean I get it, the broccoli spout is already 1.5" tall with only little leaves on it. That must be what every one's worried about. There's just nothing I can do to solve it. The whole green house job is for the peppers and tomatoes anyway. I have to keep telling myself that. Last year, starting them from seeds in the garden in mid July, the broccoli looked like a Christmas tree. I just put them in there because everyone says it's necessary and thought they'd be fun for the kids to watch. If I screw them up in the little greenhouse I can just plant again in the garden.

navajas....In your area you can probably start great cool-weather crops in the summer garden. Start them directly in warm outdoor beds and they grow up in the cooler temps as fall comes into play. They love it. In my area, zone 5b this year which was 5a last year, they seem to grow better if just sown right in the garden in the summer and I have great fall crops. They aren't threatened by bolting. So don't worry so much if you don't get any or many spring cole crops. Fall isn't that far ahead.