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Nowhere

I have an old electric back heating pad,, if i put this in a cooler will it be enough for germinating seeds ????
What setting shoud I use,, it has Low, Medium and High????
Should I keep or take the cloth cover off ???

Thanks Guys!!!

John

2/22/2010 10:10:16 AM

Minnesota

I think you still want a overhead heat/light source, and a thermometer so you can regulate heat.

2/22/2010 1:42:02 PM

SE Minnesota

should be ok to germinate the seeds...I put a thermometer in the tote that I use and adjust accordingly...I usually have the cover cracked open a little bit with my heat setting at low to medium...I also put my seeds in papertowels inside ziploc baggies...on top of a dinner plate (indirect heat???) with the heating pad under the plate...hope this helps.

Jim

2/22/2010 3:07:21 PM

Breslau, Ontario, Canada

http://www.gvgo.ca/articles/rivington_germ_tut01.html

Check this out. In 2 years and over winter trials. I have never had a seed not germinate.

John

2/22/2010 3:15:17 PM

Nowhere

cool John thanks,, the back mat I have is kinda like that,, it has a cloth blanket cover over it,, maybe that'll work??

Thanks

2/22/2010 3:44:54 PM

southwest MO

Most of the newer ones have an auto off feature (like 2 hours) that is great for saftey but not so for seeds.

2/22/2010 6:20:37 PM

Breslau, Ontario, Canada

I use a "back mat" also but it's an older one that doesn't have an auto shut off. I leave the cloth on it and still put a plate and a maggazine between it and the seeds. Put a thermometer in there right on the plate and see what the temp is on each of the settings.

2/22/2010 8:30:54 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

John, that's what I use for veggie seeds...Peace, Wayne

2/22/2010 11:30:36 PM

Colorado Springs, CO

I have used a back-warmer pad as well. Worked just fine. Remember, you are warming the soil and the soil will warm the seeds. You are not cooking either one ! Periodically check with your fingertips, it's an easy call to make. If you can place a clear plastic tray "dome" cover over the small pots and heating pad you will keep much more warmth within that contained airspace and it will not be lost into the room as readily. I too do not have any auto-shut-off function with my heater, and that is why a constant low or medium heat setting might be the best.

2/23/2010 2:24:51 PM

Nowhere

thanks i dont have a auto off either mine is from the 80s or 90s

Thanks!

2/23/2010 4:36:01 PM

southwest MO

I learned of the auto off feature when I purchased one at Walmart last year for my sons science fair project. Interestingly enough his hypothesis was that "there will be more root growth on seedling rye grass in warmer soil." We prepared 2 flats one sitting on the pad and one not just trying to get a feel for temperature difference. The pad came on and warmed up nicely, but the following morning they where both the same temperature... Doing our due-diligence as scientist we located the box in the trash and discovered the auto off feature. (Hows that for science!)
We were able to get an older one from a relative that stayed on and complete the project, but did run into some variables... We kept the temperatures 60 and 75 respectively and the one with the pad (75) dried out alot quicker... So we then rigged up some semi-air tight covers to help the moisture variance and I can report that root growth was much greater in the heated flat at least from visual observation through the clear bottom. Germination time was the same however, but like I say this was annual rye grass not AG's and rye germinates at much lower temps. This was all the proof I needed to "bottom heat" seedlings.

2/24/2010 10:58:04 AM

Nowhere

thanks BG thats some interesting information.....
can you email me?? littlenooktreefarm@gmail.com
do you have any pictures of this and maybe we can talk more

Thanks,

JOHN

2/24/2010 11:50:31 AM

i believe it is called a heating pad

2/24/2010 5:28:22 PM

Colorado

get a thermometer so you can know the exact temps and practice with spare seeds so you dont kill your 1385 jutras and 1068 wallace

2/24/2010 6:04:46 PM

Colorado

p.s. a 15 watt light bulb in a medium size cooler gets me 85 degree temps been using it forever

2/24/2010 6:06:52 PM

Bristol R.I. USA

As long as the seeds are kept in a moist condition around 85 degrees you should be okay.

2/25/2010 10:57:26 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

Lots of ways to skin the cat!!! LOL I have an oil filled room heater and a large styrofoam cooler. The styrofoam box sits nicely on top of the heater, and w/ a lil adjustment w/thermostat on heater, and lid of cooler,(how much I crack it open). I can get constant temps from 70F to 100F!!! This cooler holds 4 1 gallon pots. A soil thermometer is a necessity, as it is the soil temp that I am concerned about!! Peace, Wayne

2/27/2010 12:29:29 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

We used my grandmothers heating pad for years. Use a thermometer to check the temp stays 85-90F. Once seeds are cooked or rotten it'll be too late.

2/27/2010 10:58:07 AM

Las Cruces NM

Using a back heating pad is dangerious due to them not being made to start seedlings (i.e., water resistance). There are a few warning and class action suits out there as it is and easly located on the internet for your viewing pleasure. My heating system went out and as an emergency tried a heating pad for my african nightcrawlers -- yea, dang thing had auto shutoff and now no more crawlers :P but I've had seed mats go south too. Light bulbs work and some freezers put out enough heat ... but I would use great caution with a back heating pad.

3/4/2010 9:14:22 PM

Las Cruces NM

BTW, I'm a bit bumbed with my pumpkin germination. My flats had close to 100% (tomatto, pepers et.al) but my pumpkin/LG is zero! Heat was a bit low (80) but think they may have been on the dry side ... now i'm at 90 and thinking they're too wet. If I had spares I would just start over ... but cojoe has right approach -- I should have tested first! bang bang bang bang bang -- ouch that one really hirt.

3/4/2010 9:29:25 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

SW...have read over and over...starting mix for pkns should emit one, and only one drop of water, if a handful is squeezed real hard!!! Pretty scientific, eh? LOL Test germinations are important. If seeds are needed, email to wsmpeace@bellsouth.net and I will try & help you out!!! No 1385 or 1068 available!!! LOL Peace, Wayne

3/4/2010 11:38:58 PM

Las Cruces NM

Wayne, you're a good man for sure! But I have plenty of seeds and alternatives -- thanks! But the really good news is LGs poped today and I'm seeing some green peeking through on one of the pumpkins so I'm probably GTG! I just lack patience especially when folks say theirs pop in 24-36 hours :P And hey, you water test is more scientific then my moisture tester: dry, good, wet -- have no ideal what any of these readings mean and is probably why I never use the thing LOL. Again thanks!

3/6/2010 1:48:30 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Glad to hear the good news SW!!! I have found any gourd seed, tough to start!!! Grow em BIG!!! Peace, Wayne

3/6/2010 10:27:41 PM