Do I need to put my Rockwools under a light as soon as I plant the seeds?

Getting different answers from all the videos and books so was wondering what the case was?

I already bought a heating mat with adjustable temp controller, so would all I need to do is place the humidity dome under the mat and put it in a dark place?

Or should I just plant the seeds and directly put them under my 230W CFL veg light? Would I even need a heating mat? From the temps in my tent it seems the CFLs generate a decent amount of heat (2x2 tent)

Thanks for any info!

no, no need to have any light source until you have seedlings above the ground.. no vegetive plant growth, no photosynthesis will be taking place, no need for a light source..
a lot of people will use a light source while germinating seeds simply to help the temps be warm enough, around 80 degrees or so f, in order to help promote germination..
i also don't use a humidity dome on seeds since they will have their own root system, albeit, a small one at first, so yeah, i don't use a humidity dome..
lastly, if your temps are warm enough, again, around 80 degrees or so f, there's also not really a need for a heat mat imvho..

racerboy71 said:

no, no need to have any light source until you have seedlings above the ground.. no vegetive plant growth, no photosynthesis will be taking place, no need for a light source..
a lot of people will use a light source while germinating seeds simply to help the temps be warm enough, around 80 degrees or so f, in order to help promote germination..
i also don't use a humidity dome on seeds since they will have their own root system, albeit, a small one at first, so yeah, i don't use a humidity dome..
lastly, if your temps are warm enough, again, around 80 degrees or so f, there's also not really a need for a heat mat imvho..

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Thanks for the info. Thought it was weird to put it under a light as I read roots hate light. When the cotyledons appear, what do you think would be the ideal height I should place my 230W CFL lights at. I built a custom reflector thats pretty big for the tent I'm in.

http://imgur.com/vfOsTL7

http://imgur.com/wRW7mWU

Here are some pics.

unbindmoney said:

Thanks for the info. Thought it was weird to put it under a light as I read roots hate light. When the cotyledons appear, what do you think would be the ideal height I should place my 230W CFL lights at. I built a custom reflector thats pretty big for the tent I'm in.

http://imgur.com/vfOsTL7

http://imgur.com/wRW7mWU

Here are some pics.

Click to expand...

you'll want to keep them pretty close as the light emitted by cfl's isn't very intense, and therefore fades very quickly.. i'd say within about 2 or 3 inches or so.. you could probably keep them a bit further away when they're still pretty young as they won't need as much light at that point in their life.. if you notice that they're starting to stretch, looking for more light, you can drop them down a bit closer until you no longer see the big stretching going on..

racerboy71 said:

you'll want to keep them pretty close as the light emitted by cfl's isn't very intense, and therefore fades very quickly.. i'd say within about 2 or 3 inches or so.. you could probably keep them a bit further away when they're still pretty young as they won't need as much light at that point in their life.. if you notice that they're starting to stretch, looking for more light, you can drop them down a bit closer until you no longer see the big stretching going on..

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Thanks man, thought the CFLs that close could burn the seedling but you just reaffirmed what I've been reading about having CFLs as close as possible. Now waiting on my seeds to arrive! Got Karma Genetics Biker Kush and White Beelze Bubba incoming

Edit: Also using the CFLs primarily during seedling phase. Going to add a 210W COB LED in veg, while splitting the CFLs probably at the bottom sides of the tent

http://imgur.com/XoN4Pcb

Just waiting for the COBs and reflectors to arrive

There is also no harm in using light as racer said, I have tried all the popular methods people use to crack seeds just so I wouldn't be ignorant but my first seed I ever popped and the last seed I popped was like you in rockwool.

I always sttart under a T5 no heat mat, I find the rockwool dries out too fast with mat, the seeds are in the rockwool so their in dark anyways but I primarily use the light for the heat, especially in cooler months and yea no dome.

OK so I just restated basically what Racer said so I'll toss in something new lol

Get yourself some wooden meat skewers and have them handy, you may need them in a week. If the seedlings stretch too much too early due to lack of light or other stress factors break the skewers in half (or smaller) and slide it into your rockwool than you can lightly tie the seedling to the skewer, not so its flush but so its vertical. For me hemp rope for making beaded bracelets and necklaces to be the perfect thickness.

Grojak said:

Get yourself some wooden meat skewers and have them handy, you may need them in a week. If the seedlings stretch too much too early due to lack of light or other stress factors break the skewers in half (or smaller) and slide it into your rockwool than you can lightly tie the seedling to the skewer, not so its flush but so its vertical. For me hemp rope for making beaded bracelets and necklaces to be the perfect thickness.

Click to expand...

Pro tip tyvm