I like "Natural Beginnings" from Garden's Alive catalog. Now I know it is not something you can buy off the shelf but it is not to expensive from the catalog, shipping is not to bad, and Garden's Alive almost always has great coupons on line and in their catalog that makes it just as cheap or cheaper than the ones you can buy from the big box stores. It has a great feel when you stick your hand in it and I have had the best luck with seed starting of alltypes of plants using it.
Here is the link for you to check it out yourself.

kendra

Here is a link that might be useful: garden's alive

I use the same Pro Mix I grow them in.

john

I dont use any fancy stuff.!!!! I just use basic compost with perlite mixed into it then sprayed with horse chustnut to stop fungal attack and my seeds always germinate and grow very healthy. So it just goes to show no special soil is required to germinate seeds.

And i keep them at 85 degrees farenheight for 2 weeks and bingo, were in business.LOL

I just started my germinating this morning with my 1sy batch of:-

20 Trinidad Scorpion
20 Red & Yellow Fatalii
20 Red & Yellow Devils Tongue
20 Dorset Naga's
10 "7 Pot"
20 Naga Jolokia
20 Red Savina

Enough to be getting on with for now and if i get 50% Germination then that will be great..But i usually get around 90%.

Arthur.

ARTHUR,
I'll settle for 33 percent, lol, wink wink!! shhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Best Regards;
bluelytes

I use Scotts seed starting mix. Works great. Found at Home Depot

Arthur... "And i keep them at 85 degrees fahrenheit for 2 weeks and bingo, were in business.LOL"

What is your set up for keeping them at 85? I am thinking of using my furnace room. Like to use my laundry room, but it's full of o/w peppers.

Rick

I'm not Arthur, but I used to use the top of my water heater, covered with a humidity dome. The only problem was if I forgot to check on the seedlings and they had sprouted in the meantime into pale, ghostly waifs.

Now I use the top of my wax therapy heater, which is even better, since I can keep a closer eye on it.

I used to use a heated grow mat, but the one I bought seemed to run too hot. Now it is only used outdoors for the cold frame.

Hi Ric,

I use the same as ralleia..on top of the gas boiler in a cupboard with clingfilm around my trays till they sprout. I keep my heating on all the time and at a constant 85 degrees in the cupboard..which suit the house great for the heat and as this time of the year is cold here then its smiles all round from my wife and kids.

Arthur.

"basic compost with perlite mixed into it then sprayed with horse chustnut"

Where the heck do you guys find this stuff?? I never see anything like that around me. Maybe I'm missing it but I never see this stuff.

Do nuseries have it?

ralleia writes:> I used to use a heated grow mat, but the one I bought seemed to run too hot.

I used to use one from Jiffy. Ran way too hot. Now use heating pads that I get at Wally World in the pharmacy section. Get the one that has 3 heat settings. Put a thermometer probe between mat and seed tray to monitor.

A rheostat could be used to regulate the one that runs too hot. If you are comfortable with a little home wiring, a cheapo dimmer switch can be purchased at Lowes, Home Depot etc for abt $5

I've used the Dish Satelite box for the past few years LOL! Whatever temp that is, but I'm guessing 75-80F with lid in place.
I started on January 6th and germination of Golden Hab's started today :D
As for potting mix I just use the same MG potting soil that I pot them up in.

Vera

I use a shoe rack on top of my dryer, with flouroscent lights. Underneath the shelves to start, then above when sprouted. I start slower seeds in a tupperware type container on top of my D-Link router. Since I run out of room and need to put them out when only about 6 in tall, I wont start until about Feb 1st
BethL