I can't ever get these to grow past the initial 2 leaf stage. I've tried several years in a row. They just don't grow despite heating mat, ample light etc. Any wisdom?

Thanks!

Hi Sandi, it could be a number of things .. what exactly happens? Do they just shrivel up and die or do they kind of fold over on themselves and dry up? Are you seeing fuzzy patches on the seedlings stems? And are you using the same soil over and over?

It might be 'damping off' which is a fungal problem. Try a new batch with fresh soil and sprinkle some cinnamon, it's a natural anti-fungal on the top of the soil. You also want to keep the soil on the dry side of moist and use water that has been boiled and cooled. The chlorine level in your tap water may also be causing a problem. Set the heat mat to be on the cool side .. soil temperature in the low to mid 70's.

I think that some varieties of coleus like cooler growing conditions.
Last year i moved mine away from the heat from the lights.

I mix a little hydrogen peroxide with the water when I plant my seeds.