Not sure if this the right forum (feel free to change it if not the right one), but here goes. Is there any alternative to buying a heating mat? Can a regular heating pad be used? I just can't see buying one for just 10 seeds. I may need to get one later, but not right now. Thanks..
Eric
This message was edited Jul 31, 2005 8:02 AM
Heating mat question...
Welcome to DG. I have found that there is no really wrong place to put a question. BUT do try a search first. Go to Forums and in the upper right is a search box. Here is what I found for Heating Mat
http://davesgarden.com/forums/search.php?q=heating+mat or this one for heat in the propogation forum http://davesgarden.com/forums/search.php?forum=&search_text=heat&limit=propagation&limit_poster=&Search=Search
Obviously you get a bunch of irrelevant info, but often it is interesting even if it is not what you are looking for.
You are correct about it being too much for 10 seeds and I think you will find the concensus being NOT to use a heating pad. Watch some of the big box stores for close out at the end of the season and you will occassionally see a posting of a good deal on line (like in Dirt Cheap)
George
Eric - as George said - Welcome to DG
What seeds are you trying to start.... ? Just like there are heating mat alternatives, sometimes alternative methods are succesful depending on the seeds...... This was my first year of doing seeds (thanks to all the info I found on DG) but I had success without a heating mat using other methods...... post your seed type and maybe we can come up with a free alternative.....
Again - Welcome to DG .....
Valarie
Valarie, good point on the alternatives - I really like the Deno Method http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/382293/
Thanks Valarie and George for the warm welcome :) Ok guys, the seeds I have are Passiflora "alata" "Ruby Glow". I 've been soaking them 1st in warm rain water, then in brewed unsweetened Lipton tea. Just about every thread (with a few exceptions) I've read, say to keep the seeds warm to germinate them. The seeds have plumped up a little,so I need to get whatever ready for them. George, I read the threads about the heating mats, but couldn't find anything about using heating pads, other than that its been done. No other info on how to do it. As far as the Deno method, my hot water tank is a "Auqa-Hut" that sits outside. Thanks ya'll for any help.
Eric