Heat mats needed?

[TacticalSpeed]

Ordered a couple cheap ones off amazon yesterday. We'll see how it goes

 

[Oliver Buckle]

When you are growing seedlings to sell you want every seed to germinate so it is ridiculous not to do everything one can to ensure the highest rate of germination possible and a heat mat does this. In my setup I do not need a thermostat.

On the other hand when I am growing for me and the missus, maybe an occasional visitor and the minimum number of seeds in a packet of lettuce seed is 400, and maybe as much as 2,000 it really makes no odds if the germination rate is only 10% . If I bring in forty good lettuces of each variety we eat we will have overs for family and friends, and the old lady next door.

 

[Chuck]

On the other hand when I am growing for me and the missus, maybe an occasional visitor and the minimum number of seeds in a packet of lettuce seed is 400, and maybe as much as 2,000 it really makes no odds if the germination rate is only 10% . If I bring in forty good lettuces of each variety we eat we will have overs for family and friends, and the old lady next door.

And when you are paying .20-.45 cents per seed does it really matter how much you and your missus eats? You want every seed to germinate. Cole crops and lettuce are much different than tomatoes, peppers and eggplant as they are cool weather crops and don't need a heat mat, plus the seeds are so small that it is just about impossible to plant one at a time anyway.

 

[Chuck]

Ordered a couple cheap ones off amazon yesterday. We'll see how it goes

That's what I have. El cheapo mats that I have used going on 4 years. And cheap flourescent fixtures and bulbs. You just don't need high dollar grow lights to grow seedlings. T8 dayligtht is what I use and I have gorgeous seedlings, much better looking than what you see at big box stores and hardware stores.

 

[Anniekay]

And when you are paying .20-.45 cents per seed does it really matter how much you and your missus eats? You want every seed to germinate. Cole crops and lettuce are much different than tomatoes, peppers and eggplant as they are cool weather crops and don't need a heat mat, plus the seeds are so small that it is just about impossible to plant one at a time anyway.

Where do you get lettuce seed that expensive. I got 1/16 oz. of butterhead at my hardware store for 35¢. Used very little and got this.

 

[Chuck]

Where do you get lettuce seed that expensive. I got 1/16 oz. of butterhead at my hardware store for 35¢. Used very little and got this.View attachment 106839

You missunderstood or maybe I didn't write it down correctly. Lettuce is cheap. Its the tomato and pepper seeds that are expensive. Some of the super hots are a dollar per seed and some of the hybrid tomatoes are .45 per.

 

[Oliver Buckle]

You missunderstood or maybe I didn't write it down correctly. Lettuce is cheap. Its the tomato and pepper seeds that are expensive. Some of the super hots are a dollar per seed and some of the hybrid tomatoes are .45 per.

On the other hand I grow heirlooms, like Moneymaker and Ailsa Craig tomatoes, Devil's finger, and Kristian chilli, and California wonder or Hamik peppers, save the seed and get it for free, and give away a good few young plants through our village plant swap site.

 

[River]

My wife likes the house so darn cold that I need a heat mat. I also have a thermostat that you plug the heat mat into and you can set the desired heat. I will see tomatoes sprouting by the 3rd day and the majority by the 5th day

Peppers are a little slower but nevertheless it works well. I convert the dining room table into a mini greenhouse. Thank goodness my wife is understanding.

 

[Anniekay]

My wife likes the house so darn cold that I need a heat mat. I also have a thermostat that you plug the heat mat into and you can set the desired heat. I will see tomatoes sprouting by the 3rd day and the majority by the 5th day

Peppers are a little slower but nevertheless it works well. I convert the dining room table into a mini greenhouse. Thank goodness my wife is understanding.

I convert my dining room table for my seedlings as well. I move it over to the south facing window so they get extra sun from the window along with grow lights, but I keep the house warm enough that I don't need the heat mats.

 

[YumYum]

My wife likes the house so darn cold that I need a heat mat. I also have a thermostat that you plug the heat mat into and you can set the desired heat. I will see tomatoes sprouting by the 3rd day and the majority by the 5th day

What temp do you set it on to get them up on day 3?

4 days is the soonest I've gotten them to sprout.

 

[River]

What temp do you set it on to get them up on day 3?

4 days is the soonest I've gotten them to sprout.

I set it for 84-85

 

[River]

You also have to make sure that the seedlings stay moist with that much heat

 

[YumYum]

That is what I have set mine on. It is an analog thermostat though. Must be off a few degees.

 

[Chuck]

My tomatoes sprout in 3-5 days too. My thermometer reads 82. My seed starting mix is saturated at time of planting and I rarely have to give added water before sprouting. Depending on the humidity I may or may not cover the seed starting trays with saran wrap

 

[River]

I don’t have to add water until they start forming a 3rd leaf. It speeds up the process

You can control the growth as well doing this. Mobile has a short but early tomato season. I plant the seeds the last week of January and they will be ready by the last week of February to transplant.

I will take 3-4 dozen of my sungold tomato plants and use 1-2 gallon pots just in case we get a late frost. There are times I can plant on March 1or a couple of weeks later

By late June the nights are to hot and humid for the blossoms to set