seed starting with heating mats

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gffgro Milton, MA(Zone 5a) Apr 05, 2003

I am starting some seeds and have a new heating mat. The seeds are in self-watering starters. I want to place the seed starter kit on top of the heating mat. The directions say not to have "standing water" on the heating mat. Is it ok to place "damp" seeds starting units on the heating mats and them take them off occasionally to add moisture?

gffgro

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Horseshoe Efland, NC(Zone 7a) Apr 06, 2003

Howdy gffgro...
Are those the styrofoam self-watering starters? If so, when we used them they did good in the house (at house temp). I think you could safely use them on a heat "mat", not to be confused with a heat "cable"....the mat will disperse the heat more evenly, the cable will only cause part of the styrofoam to heat up to the point of smoking.

Also, it seems the heat mat will more readily heat the water resevoir in your starter kit, and the heat may not work its way up to the seeds/soil area...Aren't they 3 or 4 inches off the mat?

Will follow this thread to hear your response, and other's input.

Post #505117
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Azalea Jonesboro, GA(Zone 7b) Apr 06, 2003

Sound like it means just not "standing water" puddles on the mat itself. Never had one, wish I did!

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notmartha Bay City, MI(Zone 6a) Apr 06, 2003

I bought those domes this year and i have them sitting on my registers(heat)keeping them warm that way.

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gffgro Milton, MA(Zone 5a) Apr 06, 2003

Horshoe - thanks for your reply. The starters are styrofoam and it is a mat - not heating cables. I did go ahead and set them right on the mat.I took away the water so it's the bottom of the starter that is on the mat. I am planning to sit the starters back on the water wicking sheet a two to three days. Sound logical?

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Horseshoe Efland, NC(Zone 7a) Apr 06, 2003

Sounds like a good idea, gffgro. If I remember right, don't those starter kits come with a plastic dome top? That should help hold in the heat as well as the moisture. Would make a good experiment to set a whole unit (w/reservoir) on the mat, and another without the reservoir and seed which works best, or fastest.

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rutholive Tonasket, WA(Zone 5a) Apr 07, 2003

gffgro, It might be a good idea to put a thermometer either on top of your seed tray or somewhere so that you will know how hot it is getting. I know i lost some seeds one year as the heat mat got too hot. The one I am using now has a wire grid over the heat mat which allows some air under the trays. Still seems to be about the optimum temp. for seed germination. Donna

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