Trick for starting seeds

No one argues the fact that bottom warming of a seed flat will aid in seed germination. A gentle flow of heat (usually in the form of a heating mat) can seriously speed up germintion rates as well. I had my heating mat in use and was in need of a heat source fro my newly planted seeds. I came up with the idea of using my Cable box as a heating source. It produces a steady flow of warmth gentle enough to be a great substitute for a heating mat. Two things must be taken into account first. There can be no holes at the bottom of the seedling containers (you don't want water seeping into your electrical box. Secondly remember that if you have vents on the top of your box (some have them in the rear) You must leave some of them clear for air flow ito your box, so a large seed flat covering the top of your cable box and it's vents is not an option.
Anyway this has worked very well for me and I have had great success with my seed germinating projects.
I just thought I would share this hint for people without heating pads to get a head start on thier seed projects as well.

I use my aquarium light, works really well also.

I have been known to use the top of my monitor, that works well too. Will not be an option after Monday as that is when my new flat screen monitor will be installed yoo hoo.

Yes... there are alot of good even heat sources about the home... the radiators or heat vents from a central heating system are only warm when it is in use... the top of a refrigerator is good but fluctuates with it being on to cool... the top of the old crt monitors are good when they are on... I leave mine on all of the time... ..
To accomodiate the larger flat on you cable box... where all of the holes on top are covered... just put a few lifts [ spacers ] on the top of the cable box first... maybe 1/2 " - 1 " tall... then the flat.. the warmth will all get out and bathe the bottom of the flat.. seeds should be evenly warm all of the time.. as so much of their development is going on under the soil...day or night..... Gordon
who ...with the return of winter .. has to water more ... than the last few weeks of outside warmth... and the heating system being less of a drying infulence than most winters

Great Ideas! If I have small containers, I use my gas stove. The middle area is warmed from the pilot lights. Not hot, just not cold. Works great so far... (Just don't let the kid leave it on when he makes cookies) LOL

Before I bought a heating mat I was using the top of the hot water heater .

It works!

I used to grow my Calatheas on top of our Console TV (they like their roots warm and with 5 people in the house the stupid thing was virtually *always* on!) - then my DH bought a big old TV with a slope from the top to the back!

Great idea, just becareful you don't cover any vent holes on the electronics stuff and make sure that moisture from the containers can't drip inside . Electronics need to breathe too so they won't overheat and don't really care for humidity.

I dry collected seeds in a strainer on the back of a computer monitor. Works really great!

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