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What temperature? Lettuce bolts (goes to seed) quickly in hot weather, but because you're growing lettuce indoors, you do have control. Cool to average room temperatures of 60-70°F/16-21°C, with a 10°F/6°C drop at night, will keep seedlings growing steadily. Don't use a heating mat for the seedlings. They like it cool.
How much light is enough? Seedlings need more intense light than mature plants. If seedlings don't get enough strong light, they'll become spindly. Give them 14-16 hours in front of a bright window. Turn pots or trays as necessary to prevent seedlings from leaning toward the light.
A sunporch can be ideal, providing more sun exposure as well as the cooler temperatures ideal for cold-loving lettuce.
Don't have a sunny window? Grow lights raise good seedlings. Keep light fixture close -- no more than 4 in (10 cm) above the seedlings -- and leave it on for 14 hours a day. Turn it off at night because plants won't thrive in continuous light.
How to Start to Grow Seeds Without Soil
Things You'll Need
- Paper towels
- Seeds
- Plastic container
- Zipper-top plastic bag
- Water (distilled, optional)
- Marker
- Electric blanket (optional)
Instructions
- Remove the seeds from their packet. Fill a plastic container with distilled water. Place the seeds in the water. Allow the seeds to soak for one hour.
- Set a paper towel flat on a tabletop. Fold the paper towel lengthwise, then fold it over width wise. You should have a small square that is four layers thick. This will ensure the paper towel does not rip or fall apart when moistened.
- Pour enough distilled water on the paper towel to dampen it completely.
- Remove the seeds from the container of water.
- Place nine of the seeds on the paper towel. Space them out evenly in three rows of three seeds. Allow about 1 inch between the seeds.
- Fold another paper towel as you did the first time. Dampen the paper towel completely with water. Set the paper towel on top of the seeds so they care completely covered.
- Slide the paper towels and seeds into a zipper-top plastic freezer or sandwich bag. Seal the bag completely.
- Write what type of seeds are in the bag with a marker. This is especially helpful when you are germinating more than once type of seeds.
- Set the plastic bag in a warm place. Make sure the seeds stay warm, optimally between 80 and 85 degrees F. Place the bag on a window sill in direct sunlight, or on an electric blanket to keep it warm enough.
- Check the seeds every couple of days to see if they are germinating. Open the bag and look for the white sprout emerging out of the seed. Some seeds will begin germinating in just a few days, others may take a week or two. Transfer the seeds to soil or planters once the sprout is about an inch long.
Read more : http://www.ehow.com/how_7607749_start-grow-seeds-soil.html