skip to main content

Growing from Seed Growing under Lights Annuals

Heat mat recommendations

5 months ago

Anyone have a good heat mat they can recommend? Or are they all pretty much the same and I can just pick up whichever one the local nursery carries? Need it primarily for rooting cuttings - I can germinate and grow on just fine, but last year struggled immensely with cuttings over the winter, I think the soil was just too cool so figured the heat mat will solve that problem.

(This may be a duplicate post, H*z is all jacked up today and I didn't see my original post on the board, though it shows up in my activity, who knows where it lives)

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

zen_man
5 months ago
Hi,

I have several Hydrofarm Heat Mats in service and they have been giving me good service for over 10 years. They come in more than one size, but I use 48" x 20" because they fit the shelves on my chrome wire steel shelves. I insulate my heat mats from the chrome wire steel shelves with corrugated cardboard (cut to size), of which I seem to have an abundance from Amazon deliveries. Heat mats usually come with a temperature controller whose sensor bulb you insert into the growing medium of a seedling pot that is on the heat mat. Because mine are relatively old, my temperature controllers are analog technology. I think most of the newer heat mat temperature controllers use digital technology. If you buy heat mats from Amazon you have the advantage of user comments and ratings for the product.

ZM

(not associated with any product or vendor mentioned or linked)
mxk3 z5b_MI
Original Author
5 months ago
Thanks for the link!
Related Discussions
Heat Mat Question
Q
Comments (12)
They are looking good. Thats a whole lot of cucumbers! And the peroxide thread is very interesting. - thanks Jim The cattle panel arch is something I picked up from this forum. I put in four of them this year. Last year I grew my cukes on the fence, but it was a cheapo plastic roll fence and it was pretty saggy by the end of the fall. They also ended up shading out to many of the other plants. I like the look of the arches, but havent decided what else to plant under and around them. I may try to see if I can keep lettuce going under there during the summer heat. Luckily my neighbor is handy with his pellet gun and keeps the rabbit population at a minimum. So far they havent been an issue.
...See More
Heat mat or heat cables?
Q
Comments (16)
I used a heat cable for years zip tied to hardwire cloth, wooden box with thick styro on the bottom, layer of sand, then the cable/cloth and soiless mix on top of that. Most seeds were up in 2-3 days in the unheated basement. All was fine till last season my new kitties decided this prop box was a great litter box. So now I have switched over to a heavy duty heat mat with wire cage in a wood box for 2 flat starts. I haven't bought the thermostat yet until I do temp trials. So far the lights with mylar and plastic over are keeping the soil temps at 72 but dip to 58 at night, so I will put a timer on the heat mat for when the lights are not running and test those temps. I had the lisianthus start to pop up in 6 days using this box.
...See More
Can you recommend Thermasoft heated floors? Who do you recommend?
Q
Comments (7)
Thanks Weedy, I seem to spend so much time on the internet these days looking for answers, that I can truly appreciate and respect someone else's research. Do you know if Warming Systems makes a mat? My installers have never put in radiant heating before so I am thinking that I should stick to a mat product, to make it as simple as possible ... for them and for me. I'm already introducing them to Kerdi, I don't want to drive them TOTALLY crazy. If you get a chance to revisit an older thread, you and I were on the same post a couple of weeks ago. It was entitled "What about a 'shower pan' instead of tiled floors?' I asked you some questions regarding some pics you posted, but the thread kind of ended. It's currently on page 9, or thereabouts. If you have the time to revisit it, would you do so? I would still like to know about shower glass. Thanks so much. Anne
...See More
Heat mat recommendation?
Q
Comments (9)
Heat mats seem to be pretty similar across multiple brands that I’ve used. Even the reptile heat mats at pet stores are made in the same vein and work well if you want a small one. I never fuss with a thermostat, but in my experience, it makes a huge difference what the heat mat is on. I have found that concrete floor (like garage or basement) will sap the heat via conduction, so I put mine on a buffer like a piece of plywood or thin polypropylene sheet to reflect the heat up. Same happened when I put mine on a wire rack shelf in a small greenhouse, so I buffered that time too, and it was fine. But the wire rack experience showed me how much heat escapes through convection. For efficacy, place tip of meat thermometer in soil at or below root zone before heat. Then, apply heat and check temperature every 6 hrs or whatever interval makes sense to you. Good luck! -s
...See More
mxk3 z5b_MI
Original Author
3 months ago
I ordered the Hydrofoam one you rec'd ZenMan. Got it from Amazon. I got the size that fits one seedling tray, I don't think I need larger than that, not now anyway. I'll see how it works out.
rosaprimula
3 months ago
last modified: 3 months ago
I have broken out the heated propagators for the first time in a decade. I used to lose track of all the various sowing needs so switched to the simplest method of all - stuffing some seeds in potting medium and waiting it out without doing anything else at all. By and large, I did OK although a lot of things were very slow to get going. This year, having gone a bit mad with the seed orders, I thought I would attempt to be a bit more...considered, so have a selection of stuff in the props as well as the usual amount still snivelling on the freezy bench. I do promise myself that this year, I am going to be a responsible, careful and dutiful gardener, taking note of seed germination sites and following instructions - not the demented dabbler I actually am.

In truth, it would be an unmitigated disaster if everything actually germinated...as all space is now taken, while not a single seedling has been pricked out or potted on. Let us know how you are getting on MXK3 - will do the same.

Cheers, Suzy x
kevin9408
3 months ago
I have the one @zen_man has and works well. Started onion seeds just recently and only took 3 1/2 days to poke up out of the soil vs 7 to 14 days the onion packs say. I also use old heating pads on the low settings when I need more coverage.

Related Stories

BATHROOM DESIGN Warm Up Your Bathroom With Heated Floors

By Tiffany Carboni

If your bathroom floor is leaving you cold, try warming up to an electric heating system

FLOORS Floors Warm Up to Radiant Heat

By Lindsey M. Roberts

Toasty toes and money saved are just two benefits of radiant heat under your concrete, wood or tile floors

FLOORS What to Ask When Considering Heated Floors

By Toronto Interior Design Group

These questions can help you decide if radiant floor heating is right for you — and what your options are

GREAT HOME PROJECTS How to Add a Radiant Heat System

By Mariana Pickering (Emu Building Science)

Enjoy comfy, consistent temperatures and maybe even energy savings with hydronic heating and cooling

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING 3 Ways to Bring the Heat to Outdoor Living Spaces

By Matt Clawson

Here’s what to know about surviving winter’s bite with an outdoor fireplace, fire pit or heat lamp

DECORATING GUIDES The Right Mat for Your Artwork

By Love Your Room LLC

Don't skimp on mat size and material to display and protect your framed artwork well

EXTERIORS Walkway Landscaping Rolls Out the Welcome Mat

By Kristy Woodson Harvey and Beth Woodson

Add color and curb appeal to your home with a statement-making front landscape

FLOWERS AND PLANTS Roll Out the Welcome Mat for Hummingbirds With Red Columbine

By Pollination Press LLC

Grow Aquilegia canadensis in eastern perennial gardens or informal woodland plantings for its delicate foliage and uncommon red flowers

GREEN BUILDING Insulation Basics: Heat, R-Value and the Building Envelope

By Mariana Pickering (Emu Building Science)

Learn how heat moves through a home and the materials that can stop it, to make sure your insulation is as effective as you think

FLOORS Is Radiant Heating or Cooling Right for You?

By Mariana Pickering (Emu Building Science)

Questions to ask before you go for one of these temperature systems in your floors or walls (yes, walls)

More Discussions

countdown to spring

149

seed starting mix -- homemade or store bought?

11

Free seed shipping this weekend - Select Seeds

3

Manure as amendment when direct sowing annuals

1

Lupine from seed

13