Plant Grow Mats

I think I need a heat mat for cuttings, and then seedlings in the spring. Anyone have a favorite, or a good (and inexpensive) suggestion?

I have seen some of these in "Parks Seed" catalog and from what I have read and heard from others they are pretty good. Price is not bad either......wish they could do something about the shipping cost..that seems to have gone up alot......... Dee

Dee, thanks! I had looked at several sites but not Parks. Turns out their small mat (23" x 15") is on sale for half-price, $24.95!! Naturally, I ordered one, and ground shipping was just $3.95. It will be sufficient for my fall propagation needs.

darius you just got the bargain of the year. What a price. The mat will heat one 'tray' at a time. So plan it out. Guess where I am going right now?

golddog, I'll just use a flat tray over the wire supports and place all the plastic soda bottles with my cuttings on the tray.

Looks like the mats are gone. Oh well!

You are kidding! They were still there this morning when I looked... As a matter of fact, they are there now, as I just checked. http://www.parkseed.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StoreCatalogDisplay?catalogId=10066&storeId=10101&langId=-1&mainPage=prod2working&ItemId=9024

Boy, you got a good deal darius and the shipping was OK too
Glad I could help out..... What cutting are you starting, what do you like to grow? got any favorites.... :o)

when we got "godzilla" our pet lizard-we had to get a heat mat for under his cage-works for plants too! ;)

cheaper!

Darius, I bought a small heat mat last year, and I couldn't believe how quickly seeds germinate using the mat. I think you will find this to be an invaluable investment.

From now until around early February, Parks usually runs some sizeable discounts off and on. These discounts can really bring down the cost of the more expensive items like grow lights. If you watch, they usually run 20% off of $100+ orders at least twice during the winter. And sometimes, they even have free shipping! Nat

I must have been looking at another one. I have one exactly like this, and paid $48. Now I have 2. Thanks!

When I did a Goggle search for plant grow mats, I went to about a dozen different websites. It was very interesting to note the big fluctuation in prices!! The cheapest I found was around $20.95 (without a thermostat) and the most expensive was what Golddog indicated. It certainly "pays" to do your homework!!!

Y'all - In what environments are you using heat mats? I am wondering if you are using them in unheated areas. Would you recommend my using a heat mat if I have my seeds planted in my basement which is heated? I also use full spectrum florescent lighting. This gardening sñr_ is getting more interesting all the time.

BIRD

Well, to be honest darius, I "multi-task" here. I use heating pad(s) since they are so cheap and keep them on low. Almost all seeds planted sprouted and since you only need them until sprout time, I can use them later for their intended purpose. Just a thought.

Edited to say that I use a baking rack above the heating pads to put the trays on. Since I only need them a few days, I can usually "borrow" a couple of friends heating pads for a few days.

This message was edited Sep 27, 2003 7:37 PM

Thats the idea, even if its warm in the house the mat provides heat directly to the soil and speeds up germination....
So your basement, greenhouse or house is the place to use it if you want seeds to sprout faster..

I don't use them in unheated areas, I think that would defet the purpose. If the soil is warm enough to germinate and they sprout then the surrounding air would be to cool and the seedling would die,or just sit and become stunted..... :o)

I've been using clip-on lamps for years now,,,the ones most guys have in their garages to work on cars. They have the big round silver circle around them that reflects the light/heat. Usually put 40 watt incadecent bulbs in them. My shelving in the greenhouse is chickenwire,,and I lay a temp gauge on the shelf for a while to check the temp and clamp these lights to the legs of the shelves. Depending on the warmth I want, I raise or lower the lights until I get the right temp. Then I place my trays on the shelf. I has worked great for me, and these lights costs about $5 each and I've had mine for several years. Knock wood, I haven't fried any seeds yet! However, I can personally tell you that hitting an incadecent bulb with a stream of water will cause an explosion that will scare you half to death!! I seem to always forget to move the lights before I start slinging a hose around. Aside from the bulb blowing up, nothing has ever been ruined from this. Doesn't seem to bother the fuses or anything. I could be a little more careful...and it wouldn't happen at all. Of course, cows may fly someday as well!!

I have noticed that annual seeds respond well to bottom heat, however, perennial seeds seem to like the cooler soil temps to germ, and of course usually take longer. I've learned over the years to not group annual and perennial seeds in the same germ tray.

When you live like a penny waiting for change you learn to improvise, and there's really no end to *tricks* one can create to make things happen.

Penny waiting for change......Rofl...sounds like my house....
how about: I'm so poor, I can't pay attention.
Or, we have to live so tight round here, the hens can't lay eggs..

I like your idea, and have used one simimular for years. It works well and I never had any problems with it either..Just had to watch for mold and meldew and keep it sprayed out.....

Bird mats will help you especially the thermostat controled type. The bottom heat they provide really helps germinination.

The top of most hot water heaters usually works well to. Regards

Is your basement heated to 70 75 degrees? no matter if your basement works why change but bottom heat is faster and better for rooting growth.

I use mine in a cool green house without heat unless it's freezing. Regards Ernie

This message was edited Oct 30, 2003 10:31 PM

This message was edited Oct 30, 2003 10:31 PM

I built two heat boxes based on the diagrams and instructions given in the following link. I built them so they rested in my seed germinating light frame. Works great - safe (ground wire included) and when not being used for heating flats I use them for drying seeds. http://davesgarden.com/t/182057/heat+box