Honestly, Rico---peppers (like tomatoes) are warm-weathered plants. Sure the lights are important, but it won't be until the temperatures warm up until they really take off. Like you---I used to start them way too early because of over-anxiousness! When I did this; they didn't die---but kinda sat and 'pouted' and waited till it got rather warm to do any serious growing.

PS Your setup sounds fine. Just too early and too cold!

thanks for the advice, when sould i start them then? seeing how 6 weeks from now it will be the middle of march, the temps should warm enough in southern indiana right?

Not sure if you are asking advice specific to peppers, or just in general, but....

I don't think you are too early, for most plants 6-8 weeks is fine.

I have never used aquarium or plant lights in my fixtures, just 40w cool white. The difference for your bulbs should be that they have a light spectrum that is distributed more appropriately for plants. Anyways, for seedlings, make sure that the lights are 1"-2" above the plants. Any farther away and there will not be enough artificial light.

As noted in another thread, if you are using the clear plastic covers on top, make sure you take them off once most of your seeds germinate to reduce fungal growth. Then make sure you water from the bottom, this reduces fungus problems and encourages strong root growth.

Hope this helps. Post again if you have any more questions.

peppers inside won't do well unless it is warm- you might want to consider some type of bottom heat- I use old electrical blanket. Or start them later when it is warmer. Thing is if you start them now but do not give proper conditions they won't thrive anyway so it will be useless waste of your time and light.

well the lights say on the box that they put out blue and red rays and phospurus, but anyway i have taken the seeds out of the cells and put them in coffe filters atop of a heating mat. when most of them sprout i will put them back into the cells and under the lights. and i will water them from bottom. might this work?

I put things on top of my refrigerator and my upright freezer to start them. They seem to get just enough bottom heat to get them started.

Pam

I started my peppers indoors REALLY early last year and they germinated fine but then just sort of pouted and didn't grow much at ALL. They stayed teensy until I put them outside at the appropriate time (the tomatoes were at least 4x bigger!) but then they took off and were really hardy and productive in the garden.

This year I'll start a little later. It's so hard to hold back when cabin fever is setting in, though!!!

The schedule says peppers should be started eight weeks before the last frost date. Good luck.

Rico,

I'm in southern Indiana...about 30 miles north of Louisville, and the last expected frost date here is May 10th.

Starting Peppers in mid March should be about right, IMHO.

Sue