Ligularia soldanella - how to grow them?

[kirsitn]

I sowed Ligularia soldanella about two months ago, and it germinated fairly quickly, but after that there's been virtually no progression. All the seedlings are still at the cotyledon stage and I'm wondering what I'm doing wrong... They get 16 hours of light per day (fluorescent tubes 20 cm above the plants) and a temperature of about 14-18° C. Any tips on how to speed up the growth?

[Sinchets]

In my experience this plant is easy to germinate, but harder to grow on- it doesn't appreciate the long hot summers we have here. If you have seed left try sowing it in a pot, left outside to germinate as spring arrives.

[kirsitn]

Long, hot summers is normally not much of a problem in Norway...  And I assume that 14-18 degrees is not too hot for it as a seedling? Or should I give it even lower temperatures?

[Sinchets]

I'm not sure about the temperatures, I've only ever germinated alpine outside. I guess you wouldn't  want to shock then by putting them outside into freezing weather, but it is said to be tolerant to USDA zone 3!

[kirsitn]

Putting them outside would most likely be too much of a shock since the temperature is just slightly above zero during the day and probably below zero at night. Guess I'll just have to be patient and see what happens...