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Torrance, Ca.

When starting plants indoors vs. outdoors do they tend to be more stringy then outdoors?Every time I've started them outdoors they come up so stout and strong!This is the first time I've gone with a indoor setup for practice this year and they are all very thin and frail.............I'm using a grow light after germination from a hydro store.........Temps have been between 75 and 82.

Thanks!

1/18/2012 1:55:52 PM

Upa Creek, Mo

If you keep the lights just an inch or 2 above the plant and raise it slightly as they grow each day, it makes them much stockier. Depends on the types of lights used as they cannot be too hot.

I am sure there are better setups, but here is mine after germination. I placed them on a stack of books and kept the lights fixed in position. I removed a book as needed.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=154282

1/18/2012 2:36:46 PM

President - GPC

One wants a little leggeyness to encourage more root growth from below the cots....but not too much. Be careful though they can snap easier being tall!

1/18/2012 4:41:37 PM

Corryton, TN

SCG What light fixture and bulb are you using. I've been thinking about making a "light" change and I'm looking at different types.

1/18/2012 6:06:02 PM

Florida

The wiz. Are you saying that the stem below the seed leaves can sprout roots like tomatoes. I read that pumpkins can only sprout roots at nodes on the vines. If what your saying is true then the plant could set roots anywhere. I've only grown one plant so I'm only going on what I've read.

1/18/2012 6:54:21 PM

Western NY

I also read to make a gentle breeze to help seedling.WiZ was in on that discussion. Go to upper right search window and type (fan on seedling) and 1 short but funny discussion shows up.

1/18/2012 7:11:39 PM

Torrance, Ca.

Brotherdave,its a hydrofarm fixture and a T5 fluorescent grow bulb,,,2 footer.I think I need to keep the light a bit closer after looking at your picture Luke!

1/18/2012 8:01:18 PM

Upa Creek, Mo

Cal Grower, just play around now while you have time. Keep one light 18 inches away and keep one 2 inches away and you'll notice a huge difference. I used full spec fluorescent since it doesn’t burn and they are cheap. I’d rather spend the big bucks in the patch. I am sure there is some "ideal stockiness", but I don't know it. lol And when time comes next year, leave the plant outside a little each day too to get acclimated to the sun and breeze. But, keep an eye on it, I heard a story last year and some squirrels got up on a guys porch and ate the seedlings. Fans help too as mentioned.

1/18/2012 8:23:36 PM

Muddy Waters

Fans are great on low,Keep lites 2 inchs away from seedling.Just a gentle breeze about 8 hrs a day.

1/18/2012 8:37:12 PM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

Chris,
Call me bro, I'll give you the run down on germinating.
Tom

1/18/2012 8:47:24 PM

Torrance, Ca.

Thanks so much guys!So much info I feel like I'm going to melt!!! :)I'll give that a try Luke!

Tom,I dug to the bottom of the package,,,,,,,,,,and holy cow u sent a lotta practice seeds!!!!Thanks!I'll give a call in the next day or two.It feels like Christmas again over here with all this Extreme Pumpkin Store stuff!!!!My garage now looks like I'm ready for business!!!!!

1/18/2012 9:37:16 PM

Ashby, MA

I use a 6' fluorescent shop light (two bulbs) facing down across some sawhorses. I'm able to put about 4-6 plants under the light about 2" away from the bulbs. The plants do not get leggy and grow nice and strong. Works great for me. No need to use any expensive grow bulbs.

1/18/2012 10:47:21 PM

Gays Mills, Wisconsin

Hope for the sprout to break dirt in direct sunlight. You already know you get em stout and strong! They can be in their "pot" and moved to a sunny location. But if the sun's not shining have your back-up ready. One thing to remember is it is good to have the sprout break dirt in the light.

1/19/2012 12:16:25 AM

Moorestown Nj

Hello everyone, Fairly new to growing ag's this will be my third season. As i should i learn a little more each yr and get even more excited each time i buy new seeds( 12 new seeds coming from auctions i found on this site.) My first yr i ended up with a bunck of world of colors not knowing what seeds to get( advertized as giant pumkin seeds) last yr i paid a bit more for seeds but had bad germination problems so i ended up with just one plant that didnt make it till weigh in time and was forced to pic early,( i beleave my seeds where not warm enough) i did take it to a scrap yard and it weighed in at 616 with the pallet. So this yr i paid alot more money for seeds updated my heating system bought a different seeds started mix ( last one "crusted" up on top cousing one seed to break after it came through the soil)so with all that said Im still unsure as to exactly when to start the seeds, I have read somewhere that you start them 5 days before you put them out, Then i read on here about the fan on the pumkings and its dated on april 24 ( and everyone already has plants growing) im in nj so our frost date is supposed to be may 15 i am curently building mini cold frames with frost blankets for an early start out side. so again when do i start idoors? thanks for reading all that crap. I know i only grew one to just under 600 lbs but it was awsome.

1/22/2012 9:14:37 AM