Heating Mats: Yay or Nay

lilbry

Member
Heating mats. Are they a gimmick or do they help in the process of germination with seedlings? I was also wondering if there is a risk of scorching the seedlings or do they maintain a consistent/beneficial temperature. I have seen some with tempt gauges and they are all relatively the same price. Any you would recommend? Or have you been able to germinate without a heating mat. Please and thanks.
 

PadawanWarrior

Well-Known Member
Ya they can help a lot, but I would get a thermostat so it stays at a safe temp though.
 

manfredo

Well-Known Member
A warm spot works just as well...near a heater, on top of a refrigerator, or furnace, etc. A little heat helps a lot, too much is trouble, and a lot of the cheap mats are scorchers.
 

Bignutes

Well-Known Member
I built my seedling tent on castors just above heat vent. Need to skirt it but as is it warms it up decently along with light heat. To answer your question, no there are cheap heat sources in your house. I use my oven with just the light bulb on to germinate temp gets to 26-28c, works awesome and it didn't cost a dime. Just put a sticky over your control panel saying plants are in oven.
 

TreeFarmerCharlie

Well-Known Member
I used to put mine on top of my office PC but I also found my back heating pad, on low, worked really well. I accidentally put it on medium once...don’t do that. It felt like a was entering a sauna when I opened the bag.
 

lilbry

Member
Ya they can help a lot, but I would get a thermostat so it stays at a safe temp though.
very cool. i'm using rockwool as a medium, after the seeds pop, in one of those trays with the groves in the bottom for water flow. would you recommend getting a humidity dome or would plastic wrap be ok? thanks again
 

PadawanWarrior

Well-Known Member
very cool. i'm using rockwool as a medium, after the seeds pop, in one of those trays with the groves in the bottom for water flow. would you recommend getting a humidity dome or would plastic wrap be ok? thanks again
I never use a dome for seedlings, only clones.
 
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