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Hello Russ,
Sounds like you're off to a good start. Seed growing can be a most rewarding and addictive experience once you jump into it. You may need to improve your growing area with some extra light sources. The seedlings will need a good bright light to insure proper growth. If your plants start to grow thin and slender you do not have enough light. You can easily construct a perfect source for your needs by getting one piece of wood approximately 1" thick x 10" wide and over 4 feet in length. At each end attach a 2" thick x 4" wide x 10" in length piece of wood vertically so that it can support a long rod or pole that will hold a 4 foot long fluorescent light. this can be easily attached to the rod and is quite adjustable. You should then purchase fluorescent light tubes for plants. These can be found at Home Depot or a good hardware store. This whole set-up will cost around $25 or less and can be placed on a small table in front of a window. I have timers on my lights that allow the cacti at least 14 hours of light a day. This is very important because you are using a less intensive light source than the sun so this additional time for the light is necessary for good growth. With the adjustable chain attached from the top of the light (you will be familiar with this if you have ever used these very inexpensive lights in a garage or workshop) you can lower the light to just above your seed trays. Keep the light as close to the trays as you can. I usually wet my soil but this is up to you. always wet the soil before placing any seed on top. Keep a thermometer by your plant as you will need a good temperature of around 75 degrees for good germination. Hope this will help. Good luck and let me know how you do. Thanks, Vonn |
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