[Sharonx]

Hi all,
Last year somebody adviced on one of the topics to get aubergines started in the airing cupboard which I did & had great success with them had loads of fruit from them grown outside.
I have just sown the seeds in a tray, put them covered in a plastic freezer bag in the cupboard but I seem to remember also doing something else like cover with newspaper?
Any advice appreciated. Thanks

[mumofstig]

It'll be dark in the cupboard anyway, so can't think of any reason to use paper.
I germinate mine in a propagator without any more covering, than a sprinkle of compost over the seed 

[DD.]

Same as Mum, but my propagator is a plastic bag. The packet never said to put them in the dark.

First year I've done them from seed and they are looking really good.

[stompy]

I did some a few years ago in a heated propogator and they did very well, planted them out in the greenhouse and grew like crazy, not one fruit set   

Apparently your supposed to treat them the same way as an indoor cucumber so no need to germinate in the dark, it probably says to put in an airing cupboard as they are usually warm.
Just use a propogator or plastic bag to give the extra heat.

[Kristen]

If you don't have a propagator I think it depends on the temperature in your house.

If you are out during the day and the house temperature falls below 18C (or if it does during the night) then putting them in the airing cupboard is more likely to give then a warm, even temperature for germination.

Get them out into the light the moment they germinate though!

Mine take a week, or more, to germinate in a propagator so its unlikely yours will be quicker than that in an airing cupboard (so you know when to start checking more carefully!)