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Upon reflection since this was first written there are some preliminary comments that should have been made in earlier versions.
We've begun reintroducing the use of charcoal throughout the greenhouses. We are happy :>), by its value and the way roots gravitate toward it and the vigor of the plants in which we use it in the medium properly. This new awakening began as an epiphany after researching the effect of smoke and ash on the growth of plants in the wilderness after the fires all around us last winter. We call a proprietary mix that we have developed 'Smoke-Grow' when we refer to it to distinguish among other mediums we use. But all of our mixes used this year have contained charcoal.
The following seed sowing procedure is independent of your geographical location because It assumes you will grow under florescent lights.
Florescent light assumptions takes the complex task of anticipating among virtual set of weather, light and temperature variations that would have to be considered for it to be effective anywhere it might be used.
There are theories about seasons. Seasons may have something to do with sowing succulents, but I don't know what. From my experience I can logically project that many thousands of taxa are independent of need to sow at any specific season under indoor lights.
I will start sowing 2009 crop in late Dec 2008. I will do it in Dec. because it's convenient and a time of year that “stir-craziness” from lack of plant activity (winter) runs amuck. Also plants sown in Dec. will often be ready to pot up and move into the production areas for growing-on in the outdoor spring growing season. Having said that, I've germinated in every month of the year under florescent. So again; florescent lights are the normalizer for varieties of conditions that exist compared to being done out-of-doors.
Temperature range for germination is within the ranges that I've used 60F-75F degees under indoor lights. Light is important. In years past I used lights 7/24 for indoor growing. We've changed that habit out of both conscience relating to carbon footprint and costs. Now the light schedule is more like 7/12 or during the waking ours. whichever is least. We may reverse that to 7/12 at night if/when we can get reduced rates for night operation.
Some may consider this to be almost fanatical in detail and requirement. It may be that for your own situation. The procedure addresses nearly all factors that contribute to controlling and managing potential risk issues that may come into play in getting up to 90% of viable dust-like seeds to become plants that are ready to be established in pots of their own. Begins in next topic.
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