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I finished constructing my cold frame. 2x4 frame with an old window for the top and 6mil plastic wraped around the sides. I was considering running an extension cord and mounting a light inside the frame. My thinking is that even a 40 or 60 watt bulb would help generate enough heat to create the necessary environment for a seedling. I have never heard of anyone doing this, and I'm sure that there is a good reason why. Does anybody think this is a good idea, or know why I shouldn't try it. Happy Easter, Thanks, TonyI

4/9/2004 12:56:06 PM

Commack, NY

Tony, people definatly have done what it is you propose. I myself use a much larger cold frame, and i use a space heater to help at night. I know of others that have used heat lamps as well. Just be careful you dont start a fire.
Scott

4/9/2004 1:20:37 PM

Massillon, Ohio

yeah i think everyone does something of the sort (either light or heater). it looks cool at night and makes neighbors wonder what the heck you are doing. LOL!! the only problem i ever had was the bulb melting the plastic covering i had on it to direct the light / heat (the cone looking thing that i dont know what is called). no big real damage was caused.

4/9/2004 3:30:27 PM

C N Y

enLIGHTened---very nice, LOL!
i don't know if you intend to GERMINATE you seeds using this technique, if so i kinda don't think it will work,
UNLESS you blew the heat around with a very small fan, directly at the point where the seed is planted. okay.

if that's NOT the case, then i'm happy to say that i have definitely used those 58-72-quart plastic storage bins you see in Wal-Mart usually around college-starting time, for blankets and clothes and such, as little greenhouses for the first 1-2 weeks of plant growth immediately after planting the seedling. of course, per the Joel Holland videos, we are thinking too small here, as a greenhouse
built like his will be necessary soon anyway, but the smaller ones at least buy us a little time to get the other real greenhouses built just in time for the seedling to outgrow its smaller one. in the meantime since your cold frames are larger, a 75-100 watt bulb would probably work, just make SURE to mount the PORCELAIN light bulb socket AWAY

4/9/2004 4:28:50 PM

C N Y

from anything wooden, plastic, or green, as in your seedling. common sense of course---you may find the monster-to be trying to contact the light by default, since space is limited, but....also, very importantly, run your
lights from a very cheap, ($6.95 at Home Depot) simple timer, do not run too many lights in parallel, and make it turn on at dusk and off at dawn.........i think the bulb can also be just sticking-up from ground level, as my arrangement had a bulb screwed into a socket that had two prongers on it, which was plugged-into a thing that had
male on one end and a female on the other end of it as well as a 2nd and 3rd female, one of which had the bulb socket plugged into it. thus, the extension cords were connected end-to-end using these connectors, like $1.50 each...hard to explain, but the bulb can be like 8-10 inches away from the actual plant this way. in any event, it has worked well for me, and gives me great peace of mind! one more thing----a Radio Shack digital thermometer, with the bulb-thingy hanging from above right at the plant level, on just one of these g'houses, will tell you what the temp. is in all of them----good luck! eg

4/9/2004 4:28:58 PM

Oz

a waterbed heater pad on a ground fault protect circut helps.

4/10/2004 10:43:08 AM

I'm with Gordon... GO UTES!

Here's a tip... make sure the light bulb is protected from
above by some sort of shroud.

What happens is that it gets so warm and humid inside the
structures, that you actually create rain. The droplets fall
from the plastic inside, and if the light is on and a drop
of cool water hits it, that will shatter the bulb and there
goes your heat source.

And, if it gets really cold, forget the light bulb and use
a blanket or styrofoam tub to protect the plant.

Regards, Cliff

4/12/2004 10:00:32 AM

Indiana

Im using a ceramic reptile cage heater they screw into a regular light socket.
Steve

4/12/2004 8:43:16 PM