Jiffy Heat Mat Issues

natural · February 14, 2007

Has anyone experienced uneven germination using the black rubber heating pads?

I seeded 2 trays (50 cell, like Craig's) with peppers.
I placed them on the heating pads with the temp control set to 85 degrees. They are covered with the clear domes.

On both trays, the seeds in the outside perimeter cells ( on the short sides) germinate in about 6 days. Then the seeds in the outside perimeter cells (long sides) germinate a day or 2 later. No interior cells germinated.

I placed the temp control gauge in an interior cell about midway down in the mix.

My assumption was that the interior cells would be warmer than the perimeter cells. I thought the peppers would germinate better in the warmer cells, but its happening backwards. How hot is too hot???
Help?

February 14, 2007	#1
natural Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: North GA Posts: 530	Jiffy Heat Mat Issues Has anyone experienced uneven germination using the black rubber heating pads? I seeded 2 trays (50 cell, like Craig's) with peppers. I placed them on the heating pads with the temp control set to 85 degrees. They are covered with the clear domes. On both trays, the seeds in the outside perimeter cells ( on the short sides) germinate in about 6 days. Then the seeds in the outside perimeter cells (long sides) germinate a day or 2 later. No interior cells germinated. I placed the temp control gauge in an interior cell about midway down in the mix. My assumption was that the interior cells would be warmer than the perimeter cells. I thought the peppers would germinate better in the warmer cells, but its happening backwards. How hot is too hot??? Help?