After many years of planting seeds in flats under lights and trying to keep the temperature in the germination range I finally figured out a cheap and reliable way to grow from seed.

First, I built a grow cabinet using the equipment below, but you can just use any enclosed cabinet.

An Enviro Elements XL Resin Utility Cabinet, 34.5 in wide x 17.5 in deep x 70.75 in high. This cabinet comes with four shelves.

Four two foot fluorescent light fixtures and two daylight bulbs for each fixture. Four 6ft extension cords. I wired the lights to the extension cords after cutting off the outlets.

I drilled a 1.5 inch hole on both ends of the shelves to allow for cords and heat, and affixed the light fixtures to the shelves.

For the seed starting containers, i use 9 ounce solo cups that i put slits in for drainage. I moisten my starting soil before I fill the cups, then plant my seeds.

After the seeds are planted in the cups, usually 2 to 3 seeds per cup, i top them off with clear plastic drink cups, I use 9 oz Chinet Crystal cups.

Then I put the completed cups on the shelves with lights above them. The shelves are adjustable.

NOW FOR THE SECRET:

For my heat source I use a 60 watt light bulb at the bottom of the cabinet. That bulb generates enough heat to keep the cabinet in the 75 degree range. If I need more heat I just put in a 75 or even a 100 watt bulb.

Germination has been so reliable using this method that I will never use anything else.

After the plants get their good leaves I usually transplant to bigger containers. The use of the plastic cups makes this easy to do. I just take a pair of scissors and cut the cups. The plants come out easily with little root disturbance.

Just thought you all would find this info useful.