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Connecicut , No. Stonington

i just broke down and bought one form harris seeds magazine, shoud be here today or tomorrow. the cheapest one i could find ..anywhere, was 50$..its a 9" by 24" agritape heating pad. my question is how do i use it? i mean, do i just put the pots right on it and let them sit there? Alos for those of you who are interested in field pumpkins haris seeds' howden biggie is a really good variety with deep orange color and deep ribing.

2/19/2004 10:56:04 AM

Western Pa.

I place my seeds in damp paper towels in baggies (open), on my mat. It's best if they sit on a rack rather than directly on the mat. You're not done buying yet Joey, unless it's been included, you'll need a thermostatic control to keep from cooking your seeds!

2/19/2004 1:29:57 PM

Webster, NY

I usually take a towel, folded in half and place it on the mat, then put the seeds on the towel. Generally, I have good luck doing this.

Dave

2/19/2004 1:44:49 PM

Oz

look around for a water bed heat pad

2/19/2004 3:07:45 PM

last spring....i put the heating pad in one of those plant "flats" that's about 2-3 inches deep. then i put my peat pots with planted seeds on the heat mat, then covered the tray with the clear plastic cover that came with it. it held the heat in nice...temp was in the 80's.

2/19/2004 4:24:49 PM

Butler,PA([email protected])

Just got my FarmTek catalog. It has gernination heat mats starting at $24.95(9"x19.5")Thermostat is another $39.95. This can be found at www.FarmTek.com & go to page 322.
Chip.

2/19/2004 8:15:58 PM

Wood River, Nebraska

Waterbed heaters work great! Used waterbed at aution seldom bring more than $5-$10 if they can even get a bid at all.

2/20/2004 2:11:28 PM

Taber, Alberta

I agree with the waterbed pad idea. Go to a place that buys used waterbeds. I went to sell mine a few years ago for $25.00 and thought they wanted the whole thing. They told me that the heaters were useless to them (I guess they resell the frame with a foam matress inside it) They get 3-4 heaters a year that they just throw out. I asked if I could keep mine and they said sure and I've been using it to germinate plants for the past 2 years.
Alan

2/20/2004 3:09:50 PM

Wisconsin

I bought one of those heating mats with the thermostats like in the FarmTek catalog. I built a small wooden box for it. It maintains a perfect 85 degrees. I stick in some bowls of water to keep the humidity high.

I use to use the Joel Holland cooler method with water jugs but it was a hassle having to change the jugs every 8 hours (if I wasn't home at the right time). The thermostat heating pad system is too expensive but it is the best system I have ever used.

2/20/2004 3:28:41 PM

Montoursville, PA

I used a camping cooler and a household heating pad under it to generate 80 - 85 degrees internals heat. Works good.
See one in my diary with more chit chat.

2/20/2004 4:49:07 PM

Appalachian Mtns.

I use the same as docgipe...a regular heating pad under a cooler, no thermostat. Stays about 80-85.

2/20/2004 9:12:59 PM

[email protected]

If you use the cooler and heating pad method, dont forget to get themout of there when they start to germinate, as they will get long and leggy. ruining the seedling. You need to harden them off quicky once they show sign of life.

2/20/2004 9:19:52 PM

Appalachian Mtns.

In my case, as soon as dirt is being pushed upward, before you even see the plant, they come out.

2/20/2004 10:40:54 PM