As for watering, after germination how does that go - how often? Which is more efficient and safer, underplant watering or mist on the surface of the pot?

Sorry didn't realize this was such a talked about topic! I searched and found some good info... Water with Chamomile tea (underneath preferably about once a week), and ground Cinnamon on top once seeds emerge... so those are what I'm gonna try we'll see what happens.

I've had some luck preventing damping off by spraying the seedlings' soil with a mix of baking soda and water. The proportions are not terribly important, but I use about a tablespoon of soda to a pint of water, put it in a spray bottle and keep it nearby. I spray lightly, trying to get the spray mostly on the soil.

Excuse me, I am curious....where on earth do you live?...We have Chamomile that comes up wild in the gardens around March...Even if I try to transplant it from one place in the garden to another, it doesn't make it.
I always thought that the seedlings had a light requirement of certain amount of hours before they would put in some growth.
I am from Central California and am interested in where you are planting these herbs in Dec.
Lina.

Damping off can be prevented by using good quality seed starting medium. The medium must allow for proper drainage yet, hold enough to keep the soil slightly moist. I use Natural Beginnings (from Gardens Alive), and start all my seeds in 2x2 inch pots. My seed starting medium does not contain regular soil, but instead has coconut fibers, potting soil, or any other growing soil product that is used for mature plants. To date, out of virtually thousands of pots, plants and seeds, I have yet to lose a single plant from damping off, even after removing and replanting tiny plants that have just started to sprout. I do use heat mats under my trays, and a clear plastic domed cover for keeping moisture inside while the heat mats are on.

I live in Ohio, I'm trying to grow these under CFL's right now (compact florescent lights). I moved them inside my closet under 6 x 6500k blue spectrum CFLs they produce 1600 lumens each of light. A few of the sprouts died out right away I think it was due to heat I might raise the lights up a bit they are sitting around 4-5" from the top of the pot. Just out of curiosity ksrogers, when you say you do 2x2 inch pots do you just put one seedling in per square or how do you do it? And I keep hearing about these heat mats where can i find these? I doubt the garden store has them I'll search around the internet i guess

As for my soil, it is 70/30 soil-less and 30% miracle grow potting mix. As for this grow, I re-used some soil from an abandoned thyme attempt so I'm not exactly sure what is growing in this pot right now, whether it's thyme, chamomile, or just some freaking weeds... i'll try to get a pic in

Potting mixes are not appropriate for seed starting. You need something that is quite sterile at first, as well as being able to retain some moisture without holding onto too much. I also avoid things like peat pots which to me are not very garden friendly. I have seen many still whole when pulling up old fall plants. Some roots get through the peat pots, but they have more balled up inside. A sterile seed starting medium is essential as it has no bad things in it that can cause damping off or any other early germination and sprouting issues. Heat mats are found on the internet if you do a simple search for the words "HEAT MAT". Charley's Greenhouse sells them as do some people on eBay. They are simply plugged in, and temps get up to about 110 degrees. Usually, are self contained and need no thermostatic controls. The 2X2 inch pots are about 3 inches deep. 32 of these thin plastic fit into a plastic form that measures about 11 x20 inches. Then the form sets into a plastic tray where it can catch moisture from the drain holes in the pots.

Here are several links:
http://www.gardensalive.com/product.asp?pn=1308&ss=natural%20beginning
http://www.charleysgreenhouse.com/index.cfm?searchflag=1&page=_search&s=heat+mat&PageNum_newsearchQuery=1&varShowPer_custom=12&varOrderby=ProductId&varSorting=ASC&varColumns=3&f=1&enter.x=9&enter.y=14&mtype=2
http://www.johnnyseeds.com/catalog/search.aspx?scommand=page&search=seed%2bstarting&qstateid=0ad20a31-fb2a-4e37-9a4b-546113b4ca54&sp=2

I don't use the molded plastic trays that have compartments as they are hard to get each seedling out of. I do reuse my thin plastic pots if they are not damaged, and wash, then a bleach solution dip, then dry for the following year. My Tyme is a nice bushy plant now two years old and is poking nice green stems and leaves right through the heavy snow we had. The plant was started from seeds and I am amazed at how well its beein doing. I hope to start oregano next to it, some day. Thyme has a definate smell coming form its leavs and I smell it a few feet away from the bushy plant.

Here is a link that might be useful: eBay heat mat

Ok, here are pictures of my setup:

http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq8/qualitycomp/setup1.jpg
http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq8/qualitycomp/setup2.jpg

Here are pictures of the mystery plants:

http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq8/qualitycomp/pot1.jpg
http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq8/qualitycomp/pot2.jpg
http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq8/qualitycomp/pot3.jpg
http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq8/qualitycomp/pot4.jpg

Hope someone can identify them or just tell me if they are weeds, I won't be offended, I'm a newbie :)

m51

The lights need reflectors to make the light aim down at the pots. There are 500 watt mercury vapor lights that work very well and are bright enough that plants need to be about 10 inches away. Charley's Greenhouse has one in a clamp in reflector. Any closer to the seedlings and the mercury vaopr lamps can cook leaves. As to the photos of plants. Not sure, if you planted seeds in these or if they are weeds, are any of the seeds you planted showing sprouting at the edges of the pots? If you planted seeds at the edges of the pots, and you see green sprouts at the edges its your plants. They look a little like thyme, but thyme usually doesn't have reddish stems. Pluck off a leaf and smell it. If its herb, it should have a smell. Because your seed starting mixture is not a sterile (shows wood chips and perlite), you may just be growing weeds. Let them mature a bit more and then pluck of a leaf or two and simply smell.

It looks like Thyme to me also. The Thyme I grow does get red in the stems. I don't know what kind it is, as it was growing near a house I once lived in and I dug some up when I moved. As Ksrogers suggested, rub a leaf and smell it.
Another thing that may help prevent damp-off is a small fan near your plants to improve air circulation.

A small fan will also help to strengthen young seedlings and make hardening off a little easier.

FataMorgana

I'll keep them going and see what happens. I've been watering them around 2 times a week probably from under the pot but not really much growth has happened in the last few weeks so we'll see. Thanks everyone for your replies :)

happy growing
jdb