Starting plants with seed starting kit

Hawgwild 1/18/2022, 3:07 pm

In the past I have started some plants inside to get ready for planting. They always seem to come out kinda tall and spindly.

Have been using just regular potting soil so perhaps they were getting too much or not the right type of nutrients.

This year I'm getting a starting kit with heat pad and grow light. Also will be using MelsMix as the growing medium.

Any suggestions would be appreciated for getting stronger healthier looking plants.

Thanks,
Scottie

**sanderson** 1/18/2022, 3:58 pm

Hi Hawgwild, Welcome to the Forum. $glad you\'re here$

Spindly plants are usually due to lack of light. Plant lights can be put right down there just above the little sprouts. Here are my shop lights, which also work. I try to group seedlings according to their height and raise the lights accordingly. In the photos, you can see I need to re-group some by height!

Starting plants with seed starting kit Seedli32

Starting plants with seed starting kit Seedli33

Hawgwild 1/18/2022, 8:00 pm

Thanks a bunch sanderson...I'm thinking the the light will really make a difference and that is exactly what was missing in the past.

I do a lot of conventional gardening in rows and still will this year, but I'm also putting together my first square foot garden and am really excited about it..I'm in northwest Louisiana and want be long before I start my plants in doors.

BTW....very nice setup on your lighting arrangement and really appreciate the advice.

Thanks,
Scottie

**Scorpio Rising** 1/18/2022, 8:20 pm

Hi! Welcome Hawgwild, glad you are here!

I cannot find any of my pics, but basically I have 2 4 foot fluorescent lights (old t 12) tech that are on a metal bookcase thing…all on one layer.

I can raise and lower them….very accommodating.

$glad you\'re here$

**sanderson** 1/19/2022, 6:04 pm

I also use two 4-foot fluorescent shop lights to cover 4 10"x20" seedling trays. I have a PVC frame to suspend them. Others use bricks or old books to raise, and continue to raise, the lights as the plants grow. The plants don't know the difference between a jerry-rigged or a professional set up. Wink

Starting plants with seed starting kit Seedli37

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Starting plants with seed starting kit

Starting plants with seed starting kit

Re: Starting plants with seed starting kit

Thaks Sanderson

Re: Starting plants with seed starting kit

Re: Starting plants with seed starting kit

Re: Starting plants with seed starting kit


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