Hi,

I'm new so I thought i'd say hi! I've just started growing chilli's and various different types of salad leafs. I'm a broke student studying IT and network - I'm growing indoors in my poky bedroom that looks over Wembley stadium + surrounding reservoir. I've got almost 100 seeds germinating as we speak here's my set up at the moment:

An old book shelf frame next to a large window - I'm using this to germinate 74 salad seeds

An old desk draw + heated mat - I'm using this to germinate 20 chilli seeds various different types including:

Fresno
Red Cherry
Cayenne Long
Satans Kiss
Bishops Crown
Golden Cayenne

As soon as they are germinated i'm going to transfer them out of the draw to my book shelf - Do you guys think they are better off on the heated mat on my book shelf?! I read somewhere that seeds don't really need light - but are they effected by light at all?

I'm going to convert my cupboard into a growboard which is essentially a couple of cheap bayonet light sockets with clamps that have a 2m lead, each with full spectrum light bulbs 380-780nm range. I will also line the cupboard with kitchen foil and make some sort of 'light shade' out of cardboard and foil to concentrate the light downwards.

The chilli seedlings are getting watered daily in the morning until the water no longer is absorbed by the compost plugs.

They will also be receiving a special chilli focus treat every Friday instead of usual watering.

I planted them on Thursday and can already see signs of life - at what point are they considered germinated and need light?

I'll attach a few pictures once I find my camera!

Look forward to hearing from you