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Rhode Island

im hoping these comments will help new growers from making the same mistakes that many make those first couple of years.
1. seed selection - dont be fussy that first year. just get a seed from a reliable grower or two. there are many good crosses out there for the asking.
2. practice your seed starting skills by germinating a couple seeds before it really counts. just sand the sides and crown of seed lightly. wet a 4 to 5 inch peat pot and fill with moist seed starter mix ( not potting soil), press sanded seed - tip first down into the seed starter. then cover with 1/4 inch of starter mix.
3. put the peat pots in a germination chamber that will give you a constant 85 to 90 degrees of heat.
easiest method is to get a large plastic cooler. drill a few air holes around the sides. attach a metal tray or heavy mesh screen across the middle of cooler, then string two 60 wat bulbs into the bottom of cooler. use a clear plexiglass top to slide as needed for a constant heat adjustment betweem 85 and 90 degrees.
keep pots and seed starter moist not excessively wet.
4. seeds will germinate in 4 to 5 days. after seed leaves are fully exposed gently pull off seed shell and place seedling under a grow light or in a sunny location. place in cool garage at night then sun in the day time until the first true leaf (some call it the third leaf) shows up.
this usually happens only a couple days after shell is off.

to be continued

3/15/2007 9:17:31 PM