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Google
Heat source for seeds
+9
R&R 1011
walshevak
quiltbea
Retired Member 1
bullfrogbabe
SFG in Chicago
Old Hippie
elliephant
Garden Angel
13 posters
Heat source for seeds
Like Mel says in the book, all you need is moisture and heat to germinate seeds, so ok, what heat source are people using to sprout seeds indoors? I've been experimenting, and found that the top of my toaster oven left on the warm cycle is a good heat source, and also sprouted some in my crock pot left on the warm cycle, and filled with about 2 inches water , I set the seed containers in a ceramic dish inside the crock pot. Then when the sprout , its out to my greenhouse till they are ready to plant. I'd really like to know what others are doing to sprout indoors.
Garden Angel- Posts : 247
Join date : 2010-05-17
Location : zone 8b, SoCal
Re: Heat source for seeds
I just leave mine out in the garage until they sprout, then bring them in to a windowsill for light. Plenty of heat out there in my area...still running the A/C indoors.
elliephant- Posts : 842
Join date : 2010-04-09
Age : 48
Location : southern tip of Texas zone 9
Re: Heat source for seeds
I use an old waterbed heater on low under flats of seeds.
GK
GK
Last edited by Old Hippie on 9/25/2010, 9:59 am; edited 1 time in total (Reason for editing : spelling)
Old Hippie- Regional Hosts
- Posts : 1156
Join date : 2010-08-12
Age : 73
Location : Canada 3b
Re: Heat source for seeds
I didn't use any extra heat. I started my seeds in the basement under a fluorescent shop light. The unheated basement stays about 65 degrees and the light put out a little heat. I remember how surprised I was when my broccoli seeds sprouted in less than 2 days.
Re: Heat source for seeds
I use an old electric heating pad under my seed germination dome to help them germinate faster. The dome helps keep them moist as the heat makes them dry out faster if they aren't covered.
bullfrogbabe- Posts : 189
Join date : 2010-03-03
Age : 52
Location : Petawawa, Ontario, Canada Zone 4a
Re: Heat source for seeds
bullfrogbabe wrote:I use an old electric heating pad under my seed germination dome to help them germinate faster. The dome helps keep them moist as the heat makes them dry out faster if they aren't covered.
Thanks for mentioning the dome thingy, "Babe". I forgot about that. The reason I like using some bottom heat is that some plants have very poor germination rates without it. In one of my books I have a chart that gives rates, etc. (I am very old school 20th century.....more of a book person than a "google" person. )
GK
Old Hippie- Regional Hosts
- Posts : 1156
Join date : 2010-08-12
Age : 73
Location : Canada 3b
Re: Heat source for seeds
This past winter, I used a 50 string of Christmas fairy lights in a large disposable aluminum roaster with a baking sheet on top. I bent the edge of the roaster down in a couple of places so the heat wouldn't build up too much. Jiffy greenhouse went on top of that with 72 cells of plants. I had a great germination rate, especially considering I keep the house at 50-55 at night. Even peppers and eggplant germinated and they like it warm. Worked beautifully.
When I used to raise chickens, I'd use the incubator to germinate plants as I could set it as low as 90. Again, with the cover partially open, it worked very well. I've regretting giving the incubator away many times -- just wasn't thinking of all the other uses it could be put to.
When I used to raise chickens, I'd use the incubator to germinate plants as I could set it as low as 90. Again, with the cover partially open, it worked very well. I've regretting giving the incubator away many times -- just wasn't thinking of all the other uses it could be put to.
Retired Member 1- Posts : 904
Join date : 2010-03-03
Location : USA
Re: Heat source for seeds
HOOO-LEEEE! what a fabulous idea! you have just given me a great idea for some of my old lights. We turn our heat down at night too and the basement which is my grow area is very cool. If I don't use extra heat, germination rates in my grow-op are terrible.
GK
GK
Old Hippie- Regional Hosts
- Posts : 1156
Join date : 2010-08-12
Age : 73
Location : Canada 3b
Re: Heat source for seeds
Old Hippie wrote:HOOO-LEEEE! what a fabulous idea! you have just given me a great idea for some of my old lights. We turn our heat down at night too and the basement which is my grow area is very cool. If I don't use extra heat, germination rates in my grow-op are terrible.
GK
Glad I could be of help. :tiphat: Just be aware that this is not a UL certified way to grow plants! I got the idea from a blog that used those new "snake like" light -- can't remember the name of them and snaked them across a pan, making sure they didn't cross over each other. I decided to just dump a regular strand in and not worry about any crossovers. Haven't had any problems, but would suggest checking the set-up daily.
Retired Member 1- Posts : 904
Join date : 2010-03-03
Location : USA
Re: Heat source for seeds
Very interesting ! I just knew they must be some creativity out there ! I just was wondering what you all have come up with ! what do they say , necessity is the mother of invention? thanks all for sharing your ideas, I always get inspired here.
Garden Angel- Posts : 247
Join date : 2010-05-17
Location : zone 8b, SoCal
Re: Heat source for seeds
It sounds like I'm the only one that isn't inventive..
I use a heating mat I bought. Its about 20" long and I place it beneath a tray (usually a clean meat tray or two) of starts with a dome over it til the seeds germinate, then move them under the lights.
I like some of your ideas. Smart.
I use a heating mat I bought. Its about 20" long and I place it beneath a tray (usually a clean meat tray or two) of starts with a dome over it til the seeds germinate, then move them under the lights.
I like some of your ideas. Smart.
quiltbea- Posts : 4712
Join date : 2010-03-21
Age : 81
Location : Southwestern Maine Zone 5A
Re: Heat source for seeds
bump
A WEED IS A FLOWER GROWING IN THE WRONG PLACE
Elizabeth City, NC
Click for weather forecast
walshevak
Certified SFG Instructor- Posts : 4374
Join date : 2010-10-17
Age : 81
Location : wilmington, nc zone 8
Might work...
We have some closed registers on the floor in rooms we arent using yet that Im thinking about trying my seeds there. The trick will be keeping my 2 yr old out of it. They still produce enough heat being closed. Or might open the register and put seed trays on our cheap Ikea table above the register.
R&R 1011- Posts : 293
Join date : 2013-02-22
Age : 40
Location : London, OH -Zone 5B/ 6A
Re: Heat source for seeds
This year was my first for doing seeds, I did the auto, watering unit by Burpee.
A reg crock pot filled with water, set on low on a closed rack gave me sprouted plants in 24 hours.
This batch is ready to be planted outside, I'm not ready.
Second batch was without the crock pot, took about a week for seeds to pop through.
3rd batch is with all fine vermiculite, over a week in a non heated basement.
Placed them under lights today..
I took little plastic cups (YOPLAIT yogurt cups) cut the bottoms out, they have a small lip at the top.
Inserted teflon scouring pads (cut to fit) where that lip keeps it from falling out.Filled with fine vermiculite and seeded.
I tend to like this method, will see what happens when I must take plants out and re pot
The crock pot's a great source of humid heat, don't do it on hi tho, or the water might boil away..
A reg crock pot filled with water, set on low on a closed rack gave me sprouted plants in 24 hours.
This batch is ready to be planted outside, I'm not ready.
Second batch was without the crock pot, took about a week for seeds to pop through.
3rd batch is with all fine vermiculite, over a week in a non heated basement.
Placed them under lights today..
I took little plastic cups (YOPLAIT yogurt cups) cut the bottoms out, they have a small lip at the top.
Inserted teflon scouring pads (cut to fit) where that lip keeps it from falling out.Filled with fine vermiculite and seeded.
I tend to like this method, will see what happens when I must take plants out and re pot
The crock pot's a great source of humid heat, don't do it on hi tho, or the water might boil away..
jimmy cee
Certified SFG Instructor- Posts : 2215
Join date : 2013-02-16
Age : 88
Location : Hatfield PA. zone 6b
Re: Heat source for seeds
I used a regular drugstore heating pad, the kind you use on achie backs and such. I put it on low. It works great and is still crankin them out. I have a lettuce mix and some swiss chard on it right now.
CC
CC
CapeCoddess- Posts : 6824
Join date : 2012-05-20
Age : 68
Location : elbow of the Cape, MA, Zone 6b/7a
Re: Heat source for seeds
I used a heating mat this year because I wanted to start early in January to plant in March. Other years when I start late, I just use a southern most eastern window. (I have shade on the other side of my house.) I always cover loosely with plastic wrap to keep the moisture longer and to keep it a little bit warmer.
Roseinarosecity- Posts : 315
Join date : 2011-08-14
Location : 10a - San Gabriel Valley - Pasadena, California
Re: Heat source for seeds
Christmas string lights
I also have some pots sitting on top of my DVR and some on top of my computer.
I also have some pots sitting on top of my DVR and some on top of my computer.
TN_GARDENER- Posts : 228
Join date : 2011-06-16
Location : TN
Re: Heat source for seeds
My crock pot pic from previous message
same seeds now after re-potting once
watering from under pots
same seeds now after re-potting once
watering from under pots
Last edited by RoOsTeR on 3/27/2013, 9:22 am; edited 1 time in total (Reason for editing : spelling)
jimmy cee
Certified SFG Instructor- Posts : 2215
Join date : 2013-02-16
Age : 88
Location : Hatfield PA. zone 6b
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