what is max temp.
 

last year before i had knee surgery, i played around with 4 ft lights and had very good results, actually it the only way i will start plants from now on. last year was later in the spring. my building isn't heated when i am not there,
here in ky who knows what tomarrows temp will be, it was 65 sat and snowing today. i made a box for my lights, it is insulated with 2 layers and i have access holes to cool it down, i can remove all layers for later, when temp are warmer. i just started seeds this weekend what is the max temp, i should shoot for and the min. for starting the seeds, before i put trays in there all lights on i had 90, but that is before it cooled down, nows the temps is in 80-85, do i need to cool it down during the time my seeds are sprouting.

i just seen the temp. guidelines in this forum . anybodys answer will be welcome

My germinating box is hotter than what most people here use. It gets 95+ in there. Heat is speed, and I am impatient. All I did was cut some holes in the box and cover them with clear plastic so that the sprouts grow upward; there are no lights. I try to take everything out as soon as it sprouts. I get tomatoes to germinate in about three days; lettuce takes only two days.

85°F is alright. 90°F scares me because you are getting to close to the seeds not germinating and dying.

Is it OK to "internet search" Tom Clothier germination temperature? I keep my tomato seed trays 80 ish (77-80 may be optimal - 104 F is too much) and cooler than my peppers (put peppers on top of the tomato light with another light over them)

[B]Plenty of information on the subject can be found in different places. I don’t remember them all, only the following :[/B]

[URL="http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/info_tomtemp.htm"][FONT=&quot]http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/info_tomtemp.htm[/FONT][/URL]
The Effect of Extreme Temperatures on the Tomato and Pepper Crop
I germinate at 78F to 80F ( 20 à 35) C)with the domes on.
Once the seedlings are up 2" high I remove the domes so air can start circulating. This is a critical stage where damping off can be a big problem. I leave them on the 78F (25.5° C) blanket for about 3 more days until they get their true leaves, and then move them to a 60F ( 15.5 °C) blanket for a week until I'm ready to transplant from multi-cell trays to pots. At this point they are hardy enough to withstand 40F (4.5° C) lows.
For tomatoes, germination peaks at 86F (30°C), but is still pretty high from about 68F ( 20°C) to 95F (35°C), and is lower at 41-68F (5°C – 20°C)..

[URL]http://www.heirloomseeds.com/germination.html[/URL]
[B]seed germination soil temperatures[/B]
[FONT=&quot]Pepper 25.5 to 29.5 C 78-85F 0 to 14 days [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Tomato 24 to 25.5 C 75-78F 7 to 14 days[/FONT]

Tomodori, a French site :
Tomato
Minimum temp : 10C / 12F
optimum range : [FONT=Arial]16C - 29C / 61 – 84F [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]optimum temp : 29C 84F[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]maximum temp : 35C 95F[/FONT]

[URL="http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=25599&page=5"][B]http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=25599&page=5[/B][/URL] post 74 etc etc. very rich

Using a thermostat, at least a thermometer, is recommended unless you are ready to roast your seeds sooner or later…

I reread you post and realized that the temperatures you posted were air temps. The soil could be more or less than what you have measured. I too recommend a probe type thermometer. Take readings at the top and bottom of you trays, pots or whatever. Check more than one as the temperature can vary from one to the next.

I think given temperatures are advised for the soil see [QUOTE]Remember - the temperatures listed below are for the soil, not the air.[/QUOTE] on the link given at the top of the page.
I've just remembered a useful site : [URL]http://tomclothier.hort.net/page11.html[/URL]
with plenty of details.

I'm sorry Loulac my comment was directed at the original poster which basically says the same thing as you do. I should have made it clear who I was responding to.

No problem Doug9345. Tomatovillians are used to making mistakes. Can anybody here certify that he / she has never bungled a sowing of tomatoes ?

i made it through the cold snap in my unheated buillding. my boxes are off the ground i had room to put a temp controled oil filled heater under plants shelf held temp at 70-72. seeds have been out 12-14 days. i have plants 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 high and most have 2nd set of leaves at top. i am extremely happy. i might post pictures later this weekend

CONGRATULATIONS!
 

[QUOTE=kycountryboy;400909]i made it through the cold snap in my unheated buillding. my boxes are off the ground i had room to put a temp controled oil filled heater under plants shelf held temp at 70-72. seeds have been out 12-14 days. i have plants 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 high and most have 2nd set of leaves at top. i am extremely happy. i might post pictures later this weekend[/QUOTE]

Time now to take them and run! Have fun with your new successful garden!:D

Marsha