'07 I started in late March with incandescent bulbs and no heaters.
'08 I started in late February with heating pads and CFL Lights(those squiggly energy efficient things 60 W equivalent).
'09 I have started Jan 31 with heat mats and when they germinate - CFL Lights.
The setup is this: a 55 Gal aquarium (long) with room for 2 flats, 2 Heat Mats, and whatever lighting needed by drop lights (utility lights) suspended by wire from a PVC frame when the plants actually start to grow - adjustable for each light as they are suspended. Timers for lights control how much vertical growth they get vs. root structure. A small fan can be added for early hardiness work.
2 Grow mats X 13 watts + 4 lights @ 13 watts (60 watt equiv) = 78 Watts. Less than one 100 watt traditional light bulb for both heat and light.
Like many people here, I have pets. In my case, that pet is a cat. The aquarium setting keeps her out of my plants and allows them to grow without grazing from the aforementioned feline. A light plywood equivalent would do the same thing.
Hostas - as we all know - do not come true from seed. I have, however, have derived a lot of pleasure from sharing these Frankenstein monsters with with family and friends to put in not-so-serious places. One sister has a treeline between her home and the highway. Another sister has a small grove in her backyard. My neighbor has a black patch of dirt all along the North side of his garage. This is perfect for seedlings that may not have an exact identity, but may inspire others to join the Hosta Collective and purchase real plants for their home or gardens.
Of course I have my own collection of "real" Hosta plants but I have a small grove out back as well. I hate to mow that area - it has sticks, snakes, and ghosts of rabbits past. It is my perfect place to put some not-so-perfect plants and still have hostas everywhere.
Seed it, grow it, plant it. That's my motto.
There are a gajillion posts in the past on how to do this - and I think I read every one of them... twice... just saying I'm still there doing it in 2009.
Gus
