I have 2. A big one that holds 2 1020 flats and a 1 flat size. I bought the big one years ago offline for about $50 bucks. It cuts germination time in half for me. Covering the flats with press and seal very tightly also helps. I get 3 day germination all the time (on maters) using this method. I think like most things you get what you pay for. My older one is really stiff and thick, looks more professional level. The newer one seems cheap, but going on year 2 and still working the same.

Bought my cells today went with the Pro Hex 72 cell.Cut them into 2- 36 cell blocks and then one of those into 2- 9 cell blocks.I'll use a 9 cell to start all my different peppers and will put 3 or 4 seeds per cell.Then later on do the same with my tomatoes in April.This way I should have enough cells for another 3 growing seasons.Not bad for $5.Like the Burpees starting set but for a 36 cell it was $10 and the only difference was a mat that drew water from the bottom of the tray.Could not see paying $5 more for that.Also the cells are 3 inches deep with the Ferry Morse and Burpees were around 2 inches.Going to plant today after I go to the store and try to find plastic markers to put in my cells.:)

[QUOTE=clkeiper;685300]Get them started any day now. from now until the 15th is a good time. after that they are small when you get them in the garden. if they start to get too big-grow them where it is cooler but bright.[/QUOTE]

Started them this afternoon.I put some poster board under the mat and this sits on a hardwood floor upstairs in a spare bedroom.I put a outdoor thermometer inside the tray and it's showing around 90 degrees.I used only a 9 cell tray and have the starting soil nice and wet.I did not add any water to the bottom of the tray but have the whole tray covered with the clear lid that came with it.It's already showing moisture inside the tray.Just going to watch it and make sure they don't dry out.I might just put the tray inside a clear plastic bag if it show signs of drying out to fast.:D

cjp1953, I finally remembered to buy a thermometer for where our tomatoes are potted up. Thanks for reminding me :)

[QUOTE=AlittleSalt;686085]cjp1953, I finally remembered to buy a thermometer for where our tomatoes are potted up. Thanks for reminding me :)[/QUOTE]

It's not to often I can help someone,your very welcome!!!:DI have mine inside the tray covered by the clear lid and it's reading 95 degrees.Water beads all over the clear lid on the inside.;)

prop the lid and put a couple canning rings ( or another tray trurned upside down)under the tray to get it up a little off the mat. 95° is a bit warm. almost too warm.

I have the mat on some poster board,maybe it's too insulated.I'll prop the lid up.Thanks ,what temperature should I try to be at?

I propped the lid up at the rear corners,the temp was at 90 degrees before I did that.It was 95 yesterday.It went down after I added some water at the bottom of the tray yesterday afternoon.

[QUOTE=cjp1953;686114]I have the mat on some poster board,maybe it's too insulated.I'll prop the lid up.Thanks ,what temperature should I try to be at?[/QUOTE]

Tomatoes 80F is perfect
Peppers 85F is perfect

90F+ is too much (unless you are growing some one-off type that needs that). Germination rates will drop off when the temp is too high, just like it does when it is too low.

You might have to wait a couple days to a week longer, but most tomato seeds germinate just fine at 70F. Most peppers will to, but the wait may be longer.

I am sure most people here can vouch for the volunteers that pop up in the garden every year that have been through freezing temps all Winter and the early Summer temps are still in the 70s ... the soil temps never even come close to 80F and yet the volunteers are popping up.

For me, I like the air and starting/potting mix temperature to be between 73 and 76 degrees for tomatoes.

Pepper plants are different - a lot of them like 80F+ soil temperature. I personally have never grown a pepper hotter than Datil - which is not considered a super hot, but 100,000+ Scoville Units is HOT to me. Anyway, I have read many times that the super hots need warmer than 85F soil/potting mix to germinate - and they take longer than usual. That's just what I've read though.

We have volunteer pepper and tomato plants every year.

I put some plastic lids under the tray as it was reading around 95 degrees..Thanks for the information.

[QUOTE=AlittleSalt;686199]Anyway, I have read many times that the super hots need warmer than 85F soil/potting mix to germinate - and they take longer than usual. That's just what I've read though.[/QUOTE]

My Carolina Reaper and Fatali seeds sprouted between 11-17 days this year @ 80-85F, 100% germination.

Rhines, that is excellent. I really enjoy seeing every seed germinating.

Once I took the poster board out from under the heat mat the temperature came down to 85 from the 90 plus it was at since Sunday afternoon.Thanks to all for your great advice.Now just have to wait for my pepper and eggplant to pop through the soil.:)

just to make sure you didn't cook them gently squeeze one or two between your finger and thumb to make sure they aren't mushy. the innards will push out if the mat got them too hot.

[QUOTE=clkeiper;686392]just to make sure you didn't cook them gently squeeze one or two between your finger and thumb to make sure they aren't mushy. the innards will push out if the mat got them too hot.[/QUOTE]
Will do,thanks clkeiper.Will let you know what I see,

I checked a cubinella and long cayenne seed,looks like a tail has started to come out of the seeds.The seeds are hard.Temp is around 82 to 84 degrees.Looks like they are doing well.Thanks!:D

[QUOTE=cjp1953;686420]I checked a cubinella and long cayenne seed,looks like a tail has started to come out of the seeds.The seeds are hard.Temp is around 82 to 84 degrees.Looks like they are doing well.Thanks!:D[/QUOTE]

Good deal, wouldn't be surprised if you see a sprout or two tomorrow.

[QUOTE=AlittleSalt;686283]Rhines, that is excellent. I really enjoy seeing every seed germinating.[/QUOTE]

Me too. I always plan for about 80% and sow some extra. Had another 1/2 dozen varieties so far with 100% germination too. Looks like I'll have some plants to give away this year. Tabasco even popped up at 5 days and the seed is two years old.

Thanks,I'll keep a close eye on them.I have my lights set up from last year ready to go in the basement.It's always around 65 degrees there.This year I'll set up a fan and run it during the day on the low setting when the lights are on 16 hours.

[QUOTE=cjp1953;686437]Thanks,I'll keep a close eye on them.I have my lights set up from last year ready to go in the basement.It's always around 65 degrees there.This year I'll set up a fan and run it during the day on the low setting when the lights are on 16 hours.[/QUOTE]

Not too much of a big deal, but I'd wait a week after sprouting for the fan and let them just concentrate on getting well rooted and get their 1st set of true leaves on. You'll no doubt eventually have seedlings of different ages in the same area, in that case put the younger ones in a less direct path of the fan.

Thank you,unlike tomato seedlings when the first ones pop through I'd put the tray of them under the lights right away with pepper seedlings I might move the heat mat down to the basement so the seeds not yet up still get the warmth of the mat while the seedlings that did pop through get the light they need.I guess I should have started them in the basement in the first place.

[QUOTE=cjp1953;686445]Thank you,unlike tomato seedlings when the first ones pop through I'd put the tray of them under the lights right away with pepper seedlings I might move the heat mat down to the basement so the seeds not yet up still get the warmth of the mat while the seedlings that did pop through get the light they need.I guess I should have started them in the basement in the first place.[/QUOTE]

Ah yes, forgot you were starting in inserts (which is why I don't). But that should work out just fine too. I germinate in a different area from where they grow, it works for me, but everyone has their own situation.
Maybe next year either germinate them in napkins or coffee filters or put a seed or two in individual Dixie cups with potting mix so you can move them around individually. Unless you are growing tons of them, it is not that much work.

Forgot to mention, if you do put a fan on for seedlings with seeds still germinating in the same insert - you might want to cover those un-sprouted cells with plastic wrap so they don't dry out.

Thank you again,great advice.I'll wait with the fan.In the past I grew them in dixie cups this year I'm trying something different.Thought it would be easier with a seed cell tray and save space until I transplant them into cups.If that makes sense.I have 2 4ft shop lights I put my cups under and will have over 30 cups when said and done.My heat mat is only 10"x 20"and would not be big enough with that many cups.

[QUOTE=cjp1953;686457]Thank you again,great advice.I'll wait with the fan.In the past I grew them in dixie cups this year I'm trying something different.Thought it would be easier with a seed cell tray and save space until I transplant them into cups.If that makes sense.I have 2 4ft shop lights I put my cups under and will have over 30 cups when said and done.My heat mat is only 10"x 20"and would not be big enough with that many cups.[/QUOTE]

With my flowers and herbs I grow them in inserts, they don't have particular requirements. If I were growing peppers and tomatoes in bulk to sell, I would also use inserts for them - but less than 200-300 pepper/tomato/egg plant/tomatillo plants is manageable (for me) doing them more individually. This year I am waiting VERY patiently to start tomatoes and tomatillo ... last year I started them with the peppers and they got way out of hand before transplant time.

BTW, A 1020 tray fits about 38 (3-4 oz dixie cups) ... maybe you are thinking 10-12 oz cups?

This pic shows 36 dixie cups loosely in a 1020 tray, might even be able to squeeze another 5 or 6 in....

[IMG]http://www.tomatoville.com/picture.php?albumid=360&pictureid=2475[/IMG]

[QUOTE=clkeiper;685046]Cjp. if you drop your seeds off to me I will start them, if I had an extra heat mat to let you borrow I would. let me know if that works for you. I would be happy to do it. Menards had them a few weeks ago at about 15.00. maybe they still have them.

"My Home Depot and Walmart sell the heat mats off the rack for about $25. Thay can cook your tomato babies without a thermostat.

As mentioned in another thread, it helps to put a foam slab, such as a drink cooler lid or a packing material sheet under the pad and cover the top of the tray with a few layers of towels or sweatshirts, etc. to insulate the seed tray. Its been a really cold winter and the heat is going non stop so I have lots of floor space near heat vents and I haven't used my heat mats. A first for me.

- Lisa "

I have never had those heat mats cook my seeds or plants. I have had sunshine cook them, but that is it. I have heat mats with thermostats which can get pretty hot and the plain old black "plug them in ones" and they don't get that hot. if you don't water the trays if they get dry you can kill off newly germinating seeds, though.[/QUOTE]

Carolyn,
I have my cheap Hydrofarm/Jffy heat mats on a foam slab. I use the thinnest 10X20 that I own (too flimsy for carry) with a plastic top. I cover the plastic top with several layers of towels and stadium blankets.

I plugged in the heat mat for a few hours without the thermostat. The Jiffy mix was fully moistened. Yipes it was hot when I went to install the thermostat. An soil thermometer showed the temp as 100, probably more but I got busy pulling everything off to let it cool. The thermostat showed 90 when I plugged it, about 5 minutes off the mat.

My word to the wise is if you are placing the mat on the floor or table without insulation underneath you are heating the surface below and not optimizing the heat. Also using the plastic lid without covering wastes heat (and electricity and the life of the mat.) This works great for hot pepper germination. Without a thermostat it works too well for my sweet peppers and tomatoes.

Post deleted, wrong thread. sorry

[QUOTE=rhines81;686471]This pic shows 36 dixie cups loosely in a 1020 tray, might even be able to squeeze another 5 or 6 in....

[IMG]http://www.tomatoville.com/picture.php?albumid=360&pictureid=2475[/IMG][/QUOTE]

I use red solo cups that are I think 16 to 20 oz. cups much larger than Dixie cups you use.I never thought of using those.That looks like a great way to start them.