Kristy it would help the process if you could put a heated mat under the cell pots. I am going to start my seeds this weedend, I will do the datura seeds, and the seeds for the plants, I got to keep the molds out. I wish I could get some hyacinth bean seeds. I had some but cannot find them anywhere. I love those vines, they keep out my neighbors weeds.I like the pink ones the best. I hope you are feeling better, Spring is just around the cornor. We will be at the coast the week of spring break, see if you can make it down. Barbra,

Hi Kristy,
I hope your nerve block goes well.
I wouldn't remove the netting from peat pellets, just pull it back from the top of surface. I used plastic mini blinds cut up for plant markers.I've also cut plastic milk jugs into strips for markers.Cut them short so they fit under the plastic dome.Plus you could make markers for each seed if you have alot of different kinds.When you soak seeds, you could use lids from jars, little plastic cups, etc. As seeds sprout just remove the individual plants from tray.Hope this helps. Have fun. Take care of your arm.
Theresa

Kristy, be sure to sterilize everything, at least the media, which should be nice a light and fluffy, with some peat as an antibacterial.

Sorry I don't think different seeds in the under the dome is a good idea. you need consistent moisture and don't want to take off the dome until most are up. "I use small flats (4x6, 3x6)and prick out when ready>

In my opinion the seed benefit from light to germinate,(contrary to my initial belief) so don't sow deeply, just press in the soil. I prefer to bag my pots to keep a constant moisture, NOT WET but moist. use bottom heat.

Barbra. I will email you about Hyacinth beans.

I meant to say that I don't think peat pellets are good.
Would rather see you make a 50/50 mix of peat moss and vermiculite. I find this is ideal for starting all kinds of seed. Certain seeds will not like the acidity of peat pots, and in my opinion they hold too much water, Watch out !

Barry,
Thanks for the info. I use the peat pellets, because of convenience and not knowing a better method.I have mixed feelings about them. I do like being able to remove individual pellets as seeds germinate from under plastic dome, with space being at a premium on heat mat.I will try yours.

Theresa

Kristy, def use gentle bottom heat, it helps the seeds come up so much faster than without. Also supposedly helps the root system in developing nicely.

As far as labeling when they are soaking, I soak mine in small glasses, and stick a sticky label on the glass. Or you could just take some scotch tape, put it on the glass and write on that w/perm marker, the tape is easier to remove from the glass than white sticky labels.
Another thing is, when they are soaking you could keep them on top of your fridge, so the water doesnt get too cold.

I don't see why you couldn't start dif ones in the domes, each row a dif type of plant, just be sure to label. when one sprouts completely, take it out of the dome. What I mean by completely, is don't jump the gun and take it out if you just see an elbow poppin up, wait till it's standing tall.

You could use your roasting pan no problem, just be sure to poke some holes in the top for transpiration..or however thats spelled, lol. Also, be careful with the bottom heat with the pan. As it's aluminum it will conduct the heat alot more. So your bottom heat may be at 65, but the temp in the roasting pan, will be higher, prob much higher. You don't want to roast your seeds, lol. Your gonna have to play with that to find the right internal temp using a heat mat.
If I were you I'd just stick that on top of the fridge.

I think light is a must..either do them by a bright window, preferably south, or put them under lights.

Whatever you do, just make sure nothing dries out, like Barry said, you want it moist but NOT wet, that will cause your seeds to mush and rot. Too much heat will do this as well. You want your bottom heat to be about 70, but this also depends on your seeds. Some actually need more heat. I keep mine at 65-70 for everything.
I have never used the pellets. I always use a mix. I do 6 cups perlite, 4 cups peat, 2 cups organic potting mix.
I have started most of my seeds so far this year in plastic cups, and lil plastic snack cups. When using these, it is easy to take another plastic container and put it atop the other for a mini gh effect. I like this way better because they can stay in that original container longer.
Now that I read this over, I'm not even sure if I helped? lol.
I hope your nerve block goes well. I'll be thinkin of ya!
Daniella

Kristy,
I don't know if this will help but I started some sang seeds a few weeks ago. They are just starting to show their knuckles now. I used a dome like you have, but they are not in the peat pellets, they are in cell packs with seed starter mix. This dome is on my radiator. I had to remove the dome early because I was an idiot and planted some phaseolus in the same cell pack. They got too tall so I had to remove the dome and I thought my brug seeds wouldn't sprout but they did. I'm not sure I would use the peat pellets because they do hold a lot of water. Did you soak and peel the seeds the first time? I wouldn't give up on those either because some people say they can take up to 3 months depending on how fresh they are.

I get those little medicine cups or the 3 oz plastic dixie cups to soak seeds. You can write what the cross is on the cup. Later you can use the 3oz ones for potting up the seedlings. If you use sharpie on plastic cups it will wipe right off with alcohol :)

I do not like peat pellets for starting brug seeds. they seem to do okay for datura and other seeds but I never had as much luck with the peat pellets for brugs. I would get a good seed starting mix and mix in a little extra perlite. Make sure to sterilize your soil as well. Start with a small batch of seed first and see how they come out before planting the whole 72. Make sure they get some light and bottom heat helps. Be really careful about not keeping the soil too wet, just barely damp is better~ this is why I like the Park's Biodome (not as much babysitting lol).

Daniella - I went and bought one of those seed trays (peat pellets) - that were so successful last year.

My tomato seeds in seed packs haven't done anything and it's goin on two weeks - so I went and bought the seed tray again.

They're coated also - I'm thinking I should soak them first. Annoys me I've wasted 2 weeks waiting for tomato sprouts. . .grrrrrrrrrrrrr. . . .