Xmas Light Seedling Heat Mat - Page 4

the999bbq · January 22, 2009

I like it how this discussion is still in motion ;-)
I am sure you have better germination with the underheat, you just mimic a heated soil, what most heat loving crops love more than just 15°C ambient room temperature. In the propagator you not only have the underheat but a relatively higher moisture too so all helping the germination. For fresh seeds the difference will probably be not that big, but maybe tricky seeds (older,...) could use that little extra TLC.

About the uneven heating, that's most likely related to the way the coil is guided in the device. I think I have lowered the uneveness by adding about an inch of moist soil in the propagator, levels the bottom, serves as a heat buffer (the propagator is more off than on), and spreads the heat a little bit more than the 'naked' bottom would do. The thing with tools is that you should use the right tool for the right job, heating with lamps is possible but you waste most of the energy for something that some already consider to be a wasteful activity.

My thermo is set to 20°, and maybe a bit higher for the peppers, germination is as little as a few days, usually less than a week.

with the warmth under their feet the seedlings grow very fast so in my setup the ones that are up are removed from the propagator.

vermiit · January 24, 2009

Huh...I have a seed heating mat I bought years ago that's always worked well, and I started seeds last night...and peeking in, there's steam rising!!

We'll see what comes up!

I also am trying Wall O Water for the first time to see if I can start them earlier and beat the heat, which started before I got many toms at all last year.

Penny · January 24, 2009

I got one of the heat mats that come in a kit at Walmart, has anyone used one of these ones before??

vermiit · January 27, 2009

Steam or not, my seedlings are coming up!! Woohoo!!

stormymater · January 27, 2009

any one ever use an electric blanket as a heat source (with nonleaky trays of course)?

brokenbar · January 28, 2009

Yes, but I got yelled at for talking about it on another gardening forum. I have two friends that use them every year. They put the electric blanket over a table & then they cover the whole thing with plastic and of course, check their trays to make sure none are leaking. They both say that had to fiddle a bit with the dial to get the right temp. So...that said, I AM NOT advocating either for or against doing this.

stormymater · January 28, 2009

Oh brokenbar - bilateral coffee nasal irrigation successful after reading your post! Thank goodness TVillians are oriented to education & not edict tossing!

**Mischka** · December 4, 2009

Bumping this to remind folks that they can buy Christmas lights dirt cheap right after the holidays are over.

Thanks to Jim for suggesting this!

pete · December 11, 2009

If you have a bunch of money or come across any of these used, they work perfectly. They are adjustable, waterproof, durable and easy to clean. I don't know how many pig farmers are out there (you can home raise all the stuff on your BLT's) but I bought one of these big 36"x24" matts for my large turtles to use on colder days and the matt has held up great. My 54# sulcata turtle poked a hole in a metal bathtub and does try to dig around on this heating pad and hasn't hurt it yet.

You can google Stanfield pig heating matt,
Makes a great gift for the person who has everything

Pete

geeboss · December 11, 2009

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/184-5523079-3001163?ASIN=B001AS5204&AFID=Froogle&LNM=B001AS520 4|HoMedics_Body_Revitalizer_5Motor_Massage_Mat_wit h_Heat&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=B001AS5204&cpng=plus box&ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001

December 15, 2010

I built a light table from two old 48", two bulb, fluorescent fixtures this year. They are old enough to use the old, heavy magnetic ballast instead of the modern electronic ballast. The old ballast's produce considerable heat which normally would vent into an attic. I put some 1/4" thick, cement & fiber; building siding over the fixtures. I set them about 1/4" above the fixtures. The siding material absorbs and distributes the ballast heat perfectly maintaining a surface temp of 80 degrees F. I am going to try germinating pepper seedlings next spring on that surface.

Ted

janezee · December 27, 2011

I've really enjoyed reading this whole thread. I have a question for those who have tried something like this, if there are any.
If I can get my 4'x6' unheated greenhouse put together in time for seed starting, I plan on using rope lights under my trays, which will be held above the lights by cookie sheets sitting on top of 1"x2" strips of wood. I have a probe instant read thermometer to check on the soil temp.
My question is: Do you think that I can combine heat under the seeds and very cool temps (30-50*F) with no additional lighting (here in the PNW at the 48th parallel) and get sturdy seedlings? How have yours turned out?
All opinions are welcome. Thanks.

LuvsToPlant · December 28, 2011

janezee...sounds like you have what is call a "hoophouse"...a greenhouse that is unheated. It gets its name from the stucture that it is usually built out of...hoops, but not always.
So the growing temps will be 30-50*F...you will not grow any tomatoes successfully
I'm afraid.

dice · December 31, 2011

Ideal temperatures: http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?p=154107

Below that but above freezing, they just sit there, turning purple from
the cold interfering with phosphorous uptake.

LuvsToPlant · December 31, 2011

The link you provided dice...
has some good info...
as well as your advice in the above post.

I am a commercial grower and we use that method...

January 28, 2009	#51
brokenbar Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: South Of The Border Posts: 1,169	Yes, but I got yelled at for talking about it on another gardening forum. I have two friends that use them every year. They put the electric blanket over a table & then they cover the whole thing with plastic and of course, check their trays to make sure none are leaking. They both say that had to fiddle a bit with the dial to get the right temp. So...that said, I AM NOT advocating either for or against doing this. __________________ "If I'm not getting dirty, I'm not having a good time."

December 4, 2009	#53
Mischka Tomatoville® Administrator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: The Bay State Posts: 3,207	Bumping this to remind folks that they can buy Christmas lights dirt cheap right after the holidays are over. Thanks to Jim for suggesting this! __________________ Mischka One last word of farewell, Dear Master and Mistress. Whenever you visit my grave, say to yourselves with regret but also with happiness in your hearts at the remembrance of my long happy life with you: "Here lies one who loved us and whom we loved." No matter how deep my sleep I shall hear you, and not all the power of death can keep my spirit from wagging a grateful tail.

December 11, 2009	#54
pete Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: cincinnati Posts: 202	Stanfield Pig Heating Matts If you have a bunch of money or come across any of these used, they work perfectly. They are adjustable, waterproof, durable and easy to clean. I don't know how many pig farmers are out there (you can home raise all the stuff on your BLT's) but I bought one of these big 36"x24" matts for my large turtles to use on colder days and the matt has held up great. My 54# sulcata turtle poked a hole in a metal bathtub and does try to dig around on this heating pad and hasn't hurt it yet. You can google Stanfield pig heating matt, Makes a great gift for the person who has everything Pete

December 31, 2011	#59
dice Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: PNW Posts: 4,743	Ideal temperatures: http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?p=154107 Below that but above freezing, they just sit there, turning purple from the cold interfering with phosphorous uptake. __________________ -- alias

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January 22, 2009	#46
the999bbq Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 191	I like it how this discussion is still in motion ;-) I am sure you have better germination with the underheat, you just mimic a heated soil, what most heat loving crops love more than just 15°C ambient room temperature. In the propagator you not only have the underheat but a relatively higher moisture too so all helping the germination. For fresh seeds the difference will probably be not that big, but maybe tricky seeds (older,...) could use that little extra TLC. About the uneven heating, that's most likely related to the way the coil is guided in the device. I think I have lowered the uneveness by adding about an inch of moist soil in the propagator, levels the bottom, serves as a heat buffer (the propagator is more off than on), and spreads the heat a little bit more than the 'naked' bottom would do. The thing with tools is that you should use the right tool for the right job, heating with lamps is possible but you waste most of the energy for something that some already consider to be a wasteful activity. My thermo is set to 20°, and maybe a bit higher for the peppers, germination is as little as a few days, usually less than a week. with the warmth under their feet the seedlings grow very fast so in my setup the ones that are up are removed from the propagator.

January 24, 2009	#47
vermiit Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: z 14, California Posts: 137	Huh...I have a seed heating mat I bought years ago that's always worked well, and I started seeds last night...and peeking in, there's steam rising!! We'll see what comes up! I also am trying Wall O Water for the first time to see if I can start them earlier and beat the heat, which started before I got many toms at all last year.

January 24, 2009	#48
Penny Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 948	I got one of the heat mats that come in a kit at Walmart, has anyone used one of these ones before??

January 27, 2009	#49
vermiit Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: z 14, California Posts: 137	Steam or not, my seedlings are coming up!! Woohoo!!

January 27, 2009	#50
stormymater Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Pleasure Island, NC 8a Posts: 1,162	any one ever use an electric blanket as a heat source (with nonleaky trays of course)?

December 11, 2009	#55
geeboss Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Fairfax, VA Z7 Posts: 524	http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/184-5523079-3001163?ASIN=B001AS5204&AFID=Froogle&LNM=B001AS520 4\|HoMedics_Body_Revitalizer_5Motor_Massage_Mat_wit h_Heat&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=B001AS5204&cpng=plus box&ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001

December 15, 2010	#56
tedln Guest Posts: n/a	I built a light table from two old 48", two bulb, fluorescent fixtures this year. They are old enough to use the old, heavy magnetic ballast instead of the modern electronic ballast. The old ballast's produce considerable heat which normally would vent into an attic. I put some 1/4" thick, cement & fiber; building siding over the fixtures. I set them about 1/4" above the fixtures. The siding material absorbs and distributes the ballast heat perfectly maintaining a surface temp of 80 degrees F. I am going to try germinating pepper seedlings next spring on that surface. Ted

December 27, 2011	#57
janezee Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Whidbey Island, WA Zone 7, Sunset 5 Posts: 931	I've really enjoyed reading this whole thread. I have a question for those who have tried something like this, if there are any. If I can get my 4'x6' unheated greenhouse put together in time for seed starting, I plan on using rope lights under my trays, which will be held above the lights by cookie sheets sitting on top of 1"x2" strips of wood. I have a probe instant read thermometer to check on the soil temp. My question is: Do you think that I can combine heat under the seeds and very cool temps (30-50*F) with no additional lighting (here in the PNW at the 48th parallel) and get sturdy seedlings? How have yours turned out? All opinions are welcome. Thanks.

December 28, 2011	#58
LuvsToPlant Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Maine (northeastern) USA Posts: 53	janezee...sounds like you have what is call a "hoophouse"...a greenhouse that is unheated. It gets its name from the stucture that it is usually built out of...hoops, but not always. So the growing temps will be 30-50*F...you will not grow any tomatoes successfully I'm afraid.