Seed heating mat

tgplp · January 26, 2011

Hi all! I'm gonna be using a heating mat to germinate/grow my seedlings. Do I only heat it in the day, or what? Any tips? Thanks!

Taryn

**Mischka** · January 26, 2011

I use them every year.

Keep it on until your seedlings sprout. It also helps to cover them with a dome, to keep the moisture in.

If you don't have a dome, a sheet of plastic wrap will do the trick.

kath · January 26, 2011

Yeah, it is important to keep them warm day and night until they sprout and then to remove them from the heat mat so the roots aren't damaged. No light is needed until the sprouts appear.

tgplp · January 26, 2011

Ok, thanks! I'll do that.

Bama mater · January 26, 2011

Once they sprout take off the dome or plastic and get them to lite so they don't stretch and get to leggy.

kath · January 26, 2011

If you notice any fuzzy white growth on the soil, a mix of hydrogen peroxide/water spritzed on it has worked for me. I guess it was another thread where you mentioned you use potting mix instead of soilless mix.

attml · February 20, 2011

This may sound like a stupid question but what if you do a flat of seeds and some varieties start coming up but others haven't sprouted yet? Do you leave the flat on the heat covered still, do you leave it on the heat uncovered or do you just remove it from the heat all together? Thanks!

Mark

ssi912 · February 20, 2011

i have a thermostat on my mat. leave it set on 80 until 2/3 have germinated, with the dome off. as long as the air temperature is below 75 not too much stretching. if your serious into starting seed, get a thermostat. i see the digitals now. worse case scenario, you get out of seed starting, you can sell it on ebay rather quickly. take care.

January 26, 2011	#1
tgplp Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Pacific North West, zone 8a Posts: 510	Seed heating mat Hi all! I'm gonna be using a heating mat to germinate/grow my seedlings. Do I only heat it in the day, or what? Any tips? Thanks! Taryn

January 26, 2011	#2
Mischka Tomatoville® Administrator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: The Bay State Posts: 3,207	I use them every year. Keep it on until your seedlings sprout. It also helps to cover them with a dome, to keep the moisture in. If you don't have a dome, a sheet of plastic wrap will do the trick. __________________ 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.

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January 26, 2011	#3
kath Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: zone 6b, PA Posts: 5,664	Yeah, it is important to keep them warm day and night until they sprout and then to remove them from the heat mat so the roots aren't damaged. No light is needed until the sprouts appear.

January 26, 2011	#5
Bama mater Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 269	Once they sprout take off the dome or plastic and get them to lite so they don't stretch and get to leggy.

February 20, 2011	#7
attml Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Annapolis, Maryland Posts: 222	This may sound like a stupid question but what if you do a flat of seeds and some varieties start coming up but others haven't sprouted yet? Do you leave the flat on the heat covered still, do you leave it on the heat uncovered or do you just remove it from the heat all together? Thanks! Mark

February 20, 2011	#8
ssi912 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2009 Location: St. Simons Island, Ga. Posts: 83	i have a thermostat on my mat. leave it set on 80 until 2/3 have germinated, with the dome off. as long as the air temperature is below 75 not too much stretching. if your serious into starting seed, get a thermostat. i see the digitals now. worse case scenario, you get out of seed starting, you can sell it on ebay rather quickly. take care.