The same job is up to me at the moment. I have searched the web and came with lots of pessimistic information (and optimistic info from suppliers
) and an interesting thread that says light is the key, Wikipedia claims the same (and here again I too found information that says otherwise ^^ ). So I'm determined to go the light route, wikipedias entry on grow light gives great information about wavelenghts and their effect on plant growth and various shops supply real cheap and powerfull LED lamps. I consider LED lamps the way to go because they're cheap reliable efficient powerfull compact wavelenght-specific and operate with very low voltage making them really safe (as if I cared
) and I plan on using them as grow lights later. In fact I am amazed about them and will surely get myself more for grow lights to expand growing seasons.
I have now come up with an array of LEDs on top of a incubator and must sort out cooling of the lights soon because with every 10 K temperature raise the livespan goes -50%. Then I will also sort out heating, independently from what amount (uncertain yet) of heat the light puts down because I feel like having constant temperature and cycling lighting.
Aside from lighting I didnt decide yet if I choose any inert medium for germination or simply start them in soil. I think the later is desirable, no stress transplanting, less work, natural, no objections.
I will update (hopefully soon) to inform about the methods sucess rate.