Heat Pads

I recently read an article that said you should not continue to use a heat pad once all seeds have germinated.  What are your thoughts for or against continued use of a heat pad.  I live in a moderate climate (Pacific Northwest) and my thermostat inside my house (where they are being green housed) is set to 68 day and night.  When I have the heat pad under my starts the temp hovers around 80-82 F, without the heat pad it hovers around 70-72 F
 
Thanks
Ken

You will be fine with soil temps of 70-72 degrees. It won't hurt your seedlings if you leave the heat mat on; it just isn't needed after all the seeds have germinated. So I would go ahead and remove the mat once you are done germinating seeds.

Leaving the heat mat on after seeds have sprouted can cause leggy plants and also fungus unless you're running strong fans. I want my plants to be as short and stocky as possible, don't know about you.