Seedlings: how warm is too warm?

17 years ago

I have a lovely sunny window where my onion and cabbage seedlings (and others in weeks to come) are soaking up the sun. It gets hot there; I just measured the temperature in the direct sun and it's around 90 degrees! Is this too hot?

I used to sprout seeds on top of my fridge, but I just measured the temp there and it's a chilly 62. I guess my new fridge is just too energy-efficient! Is it okay to put freshly-planted seeds (covered with soil) in the hot sun, or should they be in darkness until they sprout?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

avalonna
Original Author
17 years ago
Oh -- I should mention that it would only be that warm for about 3 hours a day, on sunny days only, and at night it will drop to below 60.
luke3026
17 years ago
This is my first year starting seeds indoors, and my germination trays are in a spot that fluctuates between about 60 degrees to a max of around 68 degrees. So far this has been fine since I'm getting pretty good germination rates. I think I'd err on the side of a bit cooler rather than super hot, but I'm just a newbie! ;^)
Related Professionals
Brunswick Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Athens Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · North Adams Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Brainerd Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Janesville Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Valdosta Landscape Contractors · Hannibal Landscape Contractors · Nashville Landscape Contractors · Bloomington Landscape Contractors · Sebring Architects & Building Designers · Branson Architects & Building Designers · Hempstead Architects & Building Designers · Lima Architects & Building Designers · Merced Architects & Building Designers · Las Cruces Architects & Building Designers
avalonna
Original Author
17 years ago
I've done a bit of reading, and it seems that seedlings do better at cooler temperatures of 60-70. Too much heat will make them grow too fast and get leggy. My seedings are currently in a hot sunny window and are also under lights (4 tubes). I guess I should put up something to shade them from the sun, even though it seems very counterintuitive. Thoughts?