Propogation heating mats?

[elequin]

I've noticed that heated propogation mats seem to be pretty expensive. Would there be any harm in using a heating pad from, say, a pharmacy, instead? (Assuming it was tested with a thermometer.) Or are they not meant to be left on 24/7?

In other words, are there any good substitutions for the purpose-made propogation heat pads?

Also, I want to use heat pads to help germinate seeds here soon. Has anyone used them after germination, and is there any benefit to seedlings or even grown pepper plants?

Thanks in advance!

- Eric

[Pam]

I've used regular heating pads before, but it always made me nervous. I finally decided my peace of mind was worth something! I do keep my peppers on the seed starting mats after they germinate, I keep them on it until they're ready to go outside, usually.

It would depend on where you're putting your seedlings and how warm the area is. I keep my house pretty cool in the winter, and peppers don't like having cold feet, hence the use of the seed starting mats.

[Omri]

First of all, I sprout seeds on every hot thing around here.
I have seeds on my modem, I have seeds on my computer, I have seeds on the satellite box...
Now about using the pads for already sprouted plants.
If it's not too cold, I can't see a reason why.

[thepodpiper]

I use waterbed heaters controlled by a remote bulb thermostat. these thermostats can control any heat source. Try ebay they have a few there right now cheap.

Dale

http://cgi.ebay.com/Remote-Bulb-Thermostat_W0QQitemZ160193851001QQihZ006QQcategory Z20598QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[elequin]

I've used regular heating pads before, but it always made me nervous. I finally decided my peace of mind was worth something! I do keep my peppers on the seed starting mats after they germinate, I keep them on it until they're ready to go outside, usually.

It would depend on where you're putting your seedlings and how warm the area is. I keep my house pretty cool in the winter, and peppers don't like having cold feet, hence the use of the seed starting mats.

Yeah, that's why I was asking. The thought of using a regular heating pad that isn't rated for 24/7 operation kind-of makes me nervous. I also keep it pretty cool in the house. I may have to just spring for the seed starting mats. Thanks for your input!

I use waterbed heaters controlled by a remote bulb thermostat. these thermostats can control any heat source. Try ebay they have a few there right now cheap.

Dale

http://cgi.ebay.com/Remote-Bulb-Thermostat_W0QQitemZ160193851001QQihZ006QQcategory Z20598QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Hey Dale. After your reply, I did a little research on waterbed heaters. They almost seem as expensive as seed starting mats themselves, and since they're made for heating up a LOT of water, that has me a little nervous. Can you give me a little more detail on your setup? I will admit that the thermostats that seem to be required for each seed starting pad are really pricey compared to the remote bulb thermostats like the one you linked to!

Thanks all!

[willard3]

Yeah, that's why I was asking. The thought of using a regular heating pad that isn't rated for 24/7 operation kind-of makes me nervous.

Heating pads are rated for continuous operation....this is America, we have pretty safe electrical stuff.

I have been using a Wally's world 3 temp heating pad for 10 years; I keep it on low temp (approx 85-87F), 24/7 until I get germination, sometimes as many as 60 days. Cost $8 the best I can remember.

[thepodpiper]

I agree with willard3 the heating pads are made to stay on all the time but if it makes you nervous wire up a thermostat and it will turn itself off when it reaches the desired temp. The way I have mine set up is I wire straight from the fuse box and ran it to the location of my thermostat I wired it directly to the thermostat then from the thermostat I wired up a two outlet recepticle, so that I could plug in two waterbed heaters. So lets say you set the temp for 90 deg. the outlets will be hot until the temp of the remote bulb hits 90 deg. then it shuts down the outlet turning off the heaters. My explanation may sound complicated. Its not. It is about a ten min. job to hook this up. My waterbed heaters have thermostats on them but even on the lowest setting they are way to hot I will take some pics when I get home from work and you can see exactly how I have it done.

Dale

[LUCKYDOG]

I bought a whole germination setup heating pad,tray and domed top for under 40$ this will get me to when they sprout then I will throw on the fluorescents - Ive used a heating pad and a sunny window with success as well. This just looks nicer compact and out of the way something my wife likes and what she likes .....

[wordwiz]

I also use a waterbed heater and keep the temps at 90 degrees, though it can be set from 80-105. The box is covered with glass so mositure is maintained also.

Mike

[ddrsheden]

New to all this...would love to see some pics of some of your set ups to help us all out.

[AlabamaJack]

Elequin...one question you need to answer is how many seeds are you going to start? That will give an idea of what kind of setup you need...

[thepodpiper]

ddrsheden, here is my setup with two waterbed heaters on one remote bulb thermostat


http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o65/thepodpiper/DCP_0998.jpg

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o65/thepodpiper/DCP_0997.jpg

[AlabamaJack]

Here is my set up for germinating seeds...

http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/7140/germinator10pc4.th.jpg (http://img165.imageshack.us/my.php?image=germinator10pc4.jpg)

[rainbowberry]

First of all, I sprout seeds on every hot thing around here.
I have seeds on my modem, I have seeds on my computer, I have seeds on the satellite box...


Just like me using the airing cupboard (where the water is heated), it dosen't cost anything and I've got a lot of room.

[Omri]

Just like me using the airing cupboard (where the water is heated), it dosen't cost anything and I've got a lot of room.
We're two resourceful people. :cheers:

[thepodpiper]

This little guy won't let me leave anything out where he can reach it.

Dale

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o65/thepodpiper/DCP_0971.jpg

[AlabamaJack]

don't tell me he got into some hot peppers.....

[thepodpiper]

No, he got into the cherry toms he sucked all the insides out of about 10 of them.

Dale

[AlabamaJack]

No, he got into the cherry toms he sucked all the insides out of about 10 of them.

Dale

Phew....lucky young man...I bet they were good.....

[shayneyasinski]

build a 2x4 frame that is 4 foot by 8 foot and lay down that waterbed heater and 3 layers of thick poly then fill it with water .
then lay down 3 more layers of poly.
you now have a place to heat up 16 big plug trays and controll the temp .
it is safe and easy

[thepodpiper]

build a 2x4 frame that is 4 foot by 8 foot and lay down that waterbed heater and 3 layers of thick poly then fill it with water .
then lay down 3 more layers of poly.
you now have a place to heat up 16 big plug trays and controll the temp .
it is safe and easy




Yes it would, but who needs to germinate that many seeds?

Dale

[shayneyasinski]

I have 40 plug trays full right now and another 60 ready to plant.
I run a comercial greenhouse so I need more than that to get up and running .
the nice thing about a water table is that you can make it as big or small as you need and the waterbed heater is alot cheaper to buy than seperate mats and the power needs are small .

[thepodpiper]

I have 40 plug trays full right now and another 60 ready to plant.
I run a comercial greenhouse so I need more than that to get up and running .
the nice thing about a water table is that you can make it as big or small as you need and the waterbed heater is alot cheaper to buy than seperate mats and the power needs are small .


How many seedlings are you starting?

Dale

[shayneyasinski]

we have all kinds of floweres and vegtables so we start alot.
just peppers I would say 350.
alot of superhots this year like trinadad scorpion and naga.
I do about 1500 tomatoes