Turn off the heating pad??

gssgarden · February 2, 2015

Do you guys ever give your tomato and pepper seeds a break from the heat of a heating pad?

I understand why to give them a break from light, which I do but I was curious to see if you guys occasionally turn off the heat mat to give them a break.

Maybe unplug it for a few hrs? About once a day or so I lift the cover and get them a little fresh air as well.

Thanks

Greg

Rairdog · February 2, 2015

I'm new to heat pads but from what I've read and plan to do is turn off the heat pad as soon as I see sprouts coming up. The dome comes off as well. Assuming the air temp is 65 plus there is no need for heat except for peppers. Especially the stubborn hot ones. The heat pad will make them grow faster and get leggy....unless you have adequate light maybe?

gssgarden · February 2, 2015

I usually do when they sprout but it's while they're trying to sprout. lol

I was just curious to see if anyone else gave them a break from the heat.

Greg

heirloomtomaguy · February 2, 2015

I keep a constant 75 degrees on the seeds until they sprout. With that i usually get close to 100% germination.

shelleybean · February 2, 2015

I leave mine on full time and remove the seedlings from the heat as they sprout.

kath · February 2, 2015

I also try to keep the heat constant, day & night, and I like to take the cover off and fan a bit whenever I can remember during the day for some air flow. Also, I prop the cover up a bit on one of the corners with a pencil or something laid across 2 sides of the tray.

**Lee** · February 2, 2015

No heating pad is used on my seed starting setup.
It may delay germination a day, but other than that, I haven't really
needed it for the tomatoes.

Lee

AlittleSalt · February 2, 2015

Like Lee wrote above, I didn't use a heat pad for tomatoes. I didn't use one for the 15 varieties of peppers either. I'm growing them inside our house. We try to keep our home at 75F in winter.

BigVanVader · February 3, 2015

I leave mine on 24/7.

gssgarden · February 3, 2015

Tomatoes I give them heat until the first sprouts, about three to four days or so.

Peppers I leave it on 24/7 but get worried I might roast them. lol

Thanks guys,

Greg

February 2, 2015	#1
gssgarden Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: N.C. Posts: 1,820	Turn off the heating pad?? Do you guys ever give your tomato and pepper seeds a break from the heat of a heating pad? I understand why to give them a break from light, which I do but I was curious to see if you guys occasionally turn off the heat mat to give them a break. Maybe unplug it for a few hrs? About once a day or so I lift the cover and get them a little fresh air as well. Thanks Greg

February 2, 2015	#4
heirloomtomaguy Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2013 Location: glendora ca Posts: 2,560	I keep a constant 75 degrees on the seeds until they sprout. With that i usually get close to 100% germination. __________________ “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it."

February 2, 2015	#5
shelleybean Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 2,648	I leave mine on full time and remove the seedlings from the heat as they sprout. __________________ Michele

February 2, 2015	#7
Lee Tomatopalooza™ Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: NC-Zone 7 Posts: 2,185	No heating pad is used on my seed starting setup. It may delay germination a day, but other than that, I haven't really needed it for the tomatoes. Lee __________________ Intelligence is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing not to put one in a fruit salad. Cuostralee - The best thing on sliced bread.

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February 2, 2015	#2
Rairdog Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2014 Location: Noblesville, IN Posts: 112	I'm new to heat pads but from what I've read and plan to do is turn off the heat pad as soon as I see sprouts coming up. The dome comes off as well. Assuming the air temp is 65 plus there is no need for heat except for peppers. Especially the stubborn hot ones. The heat pad will make them grow faster and get leggy....unless you have adequate light maybe?

February 2, 2015	#6
kath Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: zone 6b, PA Posts: 5,664	I also try to keep the heat constant, day & night, and I like to take the cover off and fan a bit whenever I can remember during the day for some air flow. Also, I prop the cover up a bit on one of the corners with a pencil or something laid across 2 sides of the tray.

February 2, 2015	#8
AlittleSalt BANNED FOR LIFE Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 13,333	Like Lee wrote above, I didn't use a heat pad for tomatoes. I didn't use one for the 15 varieties of peppers either. I'm growing them inside our house. We try to keep our home at 75F in winter.

February 3, 2015	#9
BigVanVader Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Greenville, South Carolina Posts: 3,099	I leave mine on 24/7.