Do you guys elavate your heating mat...

gssgarden · February 9, 2013

off the solid surface?

Last year, I put the mat on the carpet and it seemed to cook them as only the outside cell pack germinated. I'd like to put them on a dresser but I have the 3 ft lights.

So I was thinking of putting some cooling racks for cookies down, them heat mat, then flats for a little air flow.

Good idea?

OR just figure a way to fit the lights over the dresser.

Thanks in advance,

Greg

PA_Julia · February 9, 2013

To begin germination I place my heating mat in a small plastic storage tub placed on top of the clothes dryer. I place the container lid over the tub but still allow airflow to occur.
Last season I had approx a 95 % germination rate.

RayR · February 9, 2013

What kind heating mat are you using?
I have a Hydrofarm Heating Mat with a Hydrofarm Thermostat to regulate the heat, never have any problem with overheating.

shelleybean · February 9, 2013

My heat mat sits directly on a ceramic tile floor. Germination is always pretty even, no matter the location on the mat. Once the seeds sprout, I move them under the lights. I've done it on an oak floor, as well, with no damage to the wood and had the same results. I have not tried it on carpet.

augiedog55 · February 9, 2013

When I didn't have a thermostat for my hydrofarm heat matt the seeds got cooked. Once i bought the thermostat there has been no problems.

kath · February 9, 2013

If your mat doesn't have a thermostat, you should try to get a thermometer to put inside your setup so you can regulate the temps yourself. A lot depends on the temp of the room, whether or not the sun is on it, if you're using a humidity dome, etc. Hardwood or tile vs. carpet can make a difference along with lots of other variables.

I've even used wire racks between the mat and the cell trays when the temps were getting too hot during the day. Just experiment and see what works with your mat in your conditions...or buy a thermostat. I don't have a thermostat, but I'm home during the day to monitor things.

Boutique Tomatoes · February 9, 2013

I put the heating mat on a sheet of styrofoam insulation and use a thermostat as well. With the outrageous price and/or rarity of some pepper seeds giving them the best chance I can.

Stvrob · February 10, 2013

I also use a piece of styrofoam (under the mat). I dont have a thermostat but I do have a rheostat so I can adjust the power. I have a coffee cup of water with a thermometer in it that seems pretty representative.

bower · February 10, 2013

One time, when I used a shallower germination tray, the soil got too hot and germination was poor.
My mat doesn't have a thermostat, but 1 inch of soil was too shallow. 1 1/2 inches is about right, gets warm enough but not too hot.

livinonfaith · February 10, 2013

Since I use a regular old heating pad, (on low) I put it down, then put down very shallow cooling racks, (from the dollar store) and then the flat with the seeds on top of the cooling racks. The cover of the heating pad almost touches the flat, but not quite. That seems to do the trick for me.

I also use a meat thermometer to make sure the seeds aren't cooking or getting too cool.

February 9, 2013	#1
gssgarden Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: N.C. Posts: 1,827	Do you guys elavate your heating mat... off the solid surface? Last year, I put the mat on the carpet and it seemed to cook them as only the outside cell pack germinated. I'd like to put them on a dresser but I have the 3 ft lights. So I was thinking of putting some cooling racks for cookies down, them heat mat, then flats for a little air flow. Good idea? OR just figure a way to fit the lights over the dresser. Thanks in advance, Greg

February 9, 2013	#2
PA_Julia Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Princeton, Ky Zone 7A Posts: 2,208	To begin germination I place my heating mat in a small plastic storage tub placed on top of the clothes dryer. I place the container lid over the tub but still allow airflow to occur. Last season I had approx a 95 % germination rate. __________________ Personal Best- 4.46 LB Big Zac 2013

February 9, 2013	#4
shelleybean Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 2,648	My heat mat sits directly on a ceramic tile floor. Germination is always pretty even, no matter the location on the mat. Once the seeds sprout, I move them under the lights. I've done it on an oak floor, as well, with no damage to the wood and had the same results. I have not tried it on carpet. __________________ Michele

February 10, 2013	#8
Stvrob Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 1,413	I also use a piece of styrofoam (under the mat). I dont have a thermostat but I do have a rheostat so I can adjust the power. I have a coffee cup of water with a thermometer in it that seems pretty representative. Last edited by Stvrob; February 10, 2013 at 12:35 AM. Reason: Clarify

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February 9, 2013	#3
RayR Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Cheektowaga, NY Posts: 2,466	What kind heating mat are you using? I have a Hydrofarm Heating Mat with a Hydrofarm Thermostat to regulate the heat, never have any problem with overheating.

February 9, 2013	#5
augiedog55 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: oak grove mo Posts: 406	When I didn't have a thermostat for my hydrofarm heat matt the seeds got cooked. Once i bought the thermostat there has been no problems.

February 9, 2013	#6
kath Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: zone 6b, PA Posts: 5,664	If your mat doesn't have a thermostat, you should try to get a thermometer to put inside your setup so you can regulate the temps yourself. A lot depends on the temp of the room, whether or not the sun is on it, if you're using a humidity dome, etc. Hardwood or tile vs. carpet can make a difference along with lots of other variables. I've even used wire racks between the mat and the cell trays when the temps were getting too hot during the day. Just experiment and see what works with your mat in your conditions...or buy a thermostat. I don't have a thermostat, but I'm home during the day to monitor things.

February 9, 2013	#7
Boutique Tomatoes Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Northeast Wisconsin, Zone 5a Posts: 1,109	I put the heating mat on a sheet of styrofoam insulation and use a thermostat as well. With the outrageous price and/or rarity of some pepper seeds giving them the best chance I can.

February 10, 2013	#9
bower Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Newfoundland, Canada Posts: 6,794	One time, when I used a shallower germination tray, the soil got too hot and germination was poor. My mat doesn't have a thermostat, but 1 inch of soil was too shallow. 1 1/2 inches is about right, gets warm enough but not too hot.

February 10, 2013	#10
livinonfaith Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina Posts: 1,332	Since I use a regular old heating pad, (on low) I put it down, then put down very shallow cooling racks, (from the dollar store) and then the flat with the seeds on top of the cooling racks. The cover of the heating pad almost touches the flat, but not quite. That seems to do the trick for me. I also use a meat thermometer to make sure the seeds aren't cooking or getting too cool.