1st time heat mat set-up...advice?

12 years ago

For too many years I've tried to start seeds indoors (germinating on hot water bottles, in sunny windows, etc.) only to have leggy, weak seedlings that don't make it in my garden.

This year, I'm getting serious. I'm getting ready to purchase a Hydrofarm Seedling Heat Mat (48 x 20"). I just wanted to make sure I'm doing this right...the heat mat will be set up on top of an insulating piece of foam core in my cold basement. It's usually 50 - 60 degrees down there. I'm planning to go to Home Depot and buy a fluorescent light. So, leave mat on until seedlings pop up, uncover them, and put the fluorescent light a few inches over the seedlings, raising the light as the seedlings grow. Keep them moist.

Is that all there is to it? Will the heat mat be enough to germinate the seeds in my cold basement? I should say that I'm only growing flowers, no veggies. Will an ordinary fluorescent light provide enough heat, or should I get something else? Is 2 - 3 inches above seedlings enough distance?

Thanks so much for your help! I hate to put out all the money to buy the mat, seeds, and light if it's not going to work. Oh, by the way, do I need a thermometer? I don't think my mat comes with one.

Also...any guess as to how many seeds I can fit on a 48 x 20" mat?

Thanks again!

Comments (5)

digdirt2
12 years ago
the heat mat will be set up on top of an insulating piece of foam core in my cold basement. It's usually 50 - 60 degrees down there

Then the heat mat is going to be trying to heat your whole basement and will quickly burn out. It is triggered by ambient temperature.

Even if you buy the thermostat control for the mat it still need to be in a confined enclosure of some sort, insulated from the rest of the basement.

Check some of the other posts here about using heat mats to see what others have used to create a temporary enclosure to contain the heat. Even a large box or a small tent made from plastic can make a big difference.

Dave
bosewichte
Original Author
12 years ago
Thank you...I will do that!
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Trishcuit
12 years ago
You say you are GOING to buy a fluorescent light? I'm assuming you didn't have one before. That and that alone will give you leggy spindly weak seedlings.
Between the heat mat and the lights you will see a world of difference. Good luck and happy growing!
bosewichte
Original Author
12 years ago
Oh, definitely, we're getting a fluorescent light! Fingers crossed that everything will work!

1st time heat mat set-up...advice?

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digdirt2

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1st time heat mat set-up...advice?

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