Have you ever used a heat mat?

[HunkieDorie23]

I use hot tap water when I start my seeds. I know it's not the same but I think that it gives them at little boost when I start them.

 

[catjac1975]

http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-CK6...L588/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1327457399&sr=8-6
Would this one be better? I can still cancell my order with burpee

You're paying a lot extra for all of the tray pieces. I will look mine up and send the link-can't do it now.

 

[catjac1975]

http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-CK6...L588/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1327457399&sr=8-6
Would this one be better? I can still cancell my order with burpee

http://www.greenhousemegastore.com/product/gro-mat/seed-starting I have one like this that I've had for years. I like the wire over it. Not as expensive as I thought.

http://www.burpee.com/seed-starting/heat-mats/seedlings-heat-mat-prod001232.html?catId=2208&trail= I also have some like these that Burpee sells. I got mine cheaper at another web site. I like that they sell different sizes that will fit your grow area. They are not as good as the other but the price is right. I place a piece of plastic wrap over the seedlings which seems to hold in the heat. They are holding up well.

 

[Dave2000]

I just trap some of the heat from my grow lights in an enclosure they germinate and grow in for the first few weeks. It has a cardboard, reflective foil lined panel on the side I can slide back some to have it at about 85F with lights on in the daytime /16hrs, then about ~ 70F at night with lights off.

 

[rickdigschicks]

I would think something like this would work.

http://www.amazon.com/Oceanic-09939-Terrarium-24-Watt-18-Inch/dp/tech-data/B002Z5O9IW

You should google large reptile heating pad. Should be able to get something cheap.

 

[April Manier]

We built our heat mat into our seed stater box. We realy love it. It makes starting seeds early easier. Once we transplant n teh greenhouse it's ;like the next progressive step to hardening off the starts with teh final being the field. Great for getting a jump on the season.

There are pics of the one we purchased on my blog:
www.http://heronsnestfarm.blogspot.com/2011/02/building-heated-seed-starts-box.html

Just fired it up 3 days ago and my celeriac has sprouted.

 

[lesa]

That is amazing, April. My celeriac took longer than forever, to sprout last year!

 

[flgardengirl]

You can also use heat tape and cut it as long as you want it to be to fit your shelves. Here is a video on using it for reptile heating- it shows how to put it together. It can be used for a lot of things besides reptiles though like plants, incubators etc.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRdwPlqn0Zg&feature=player_embedded