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Heating Mats

scottmanb

scottmanb

I want to buy some heating mats. I want to use them to germinate my peppers this upcoming growing season. My question is, is it safe to leave them on for a period of time? I'm don't know much about them.
 
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003Y53V1S/ref=asc_df_B003Y53V1S1832888?smid=A2YLYLTN75J8LR&tag=nextagusmp0395423-20&linkCode=asn&creative=395105&creativeASIN=B003Y53V1S

Yes, it is ok to leave it on all the time. They only raise the tray temp by 10-15 degrees over room temp.
 
Depending upon the mat, you may also need a thermostat for it - some of them will get too hot for germination. Yes, they're safe enough to keep on 24/7 during the germination process, and won't burn you to the touch. Just monitor the temps for your seeds.
 
These are the exact ones I use...
http://www.ebay.com/...=item1e675a494e

In a room with a temperature of 70 degrees I can maintain 85 degrees in a Burpee 36 hole mini greenhouse. I dont recommend these though as the grow media included sucks! I still use it cause I already have it, but I either fill it with jiffy pellets, potting soil or recently I am using it for my rockwool cubes. Picture is just to show you whats easy to use...
http://www.burpee.com/seed-starting/burpee-greenhouse-kits-prod001227.html?catId=2211&trail=

P.S. DO NOT buy ANYTHING from Hirts Garden, they royally suck and their seed's germination rates are terrible! Just my opinion/experience, you may get good results, but I wouldnt bet the farm on it!
 
Scottman, the heatmatt shown by Matt506 is a good matte to use. It will be more effective for you than not using one. At some point (maybe not this season) you may decide you need a heat matt regulator to more accurately control the temp around 85F. Depending on where you germinate the ambient room temp can be too cold or to warm at any given time. Or what is ideal one week might not be good a month later.

Hydrofarm also sells a regulator, Amazon.com, that will allow much greater control of the temp.

Good luck with your season

Mike
 
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