From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Lake Elmo, Minnesota

Where can I purchase a germination mat that can precisely control the temperature? I have a cheap one that will merely raise the surrounding temp by 10 degrees.

3/5/2003 1:09:00 PM

Chesterfield, MO

I bought a heat mat from Gurneys which says it raises the soil temperature 10 to 20 degrees above the surrounding temperature. There is any attachment that you can get for that mat but it costs something outrageous like and extra 40 bucks. The instructions say that you can regulate the temperature somewhat by either placing the mat on an insulated(warmer) or uninsulated surface(less warm). Hope that helps.

3/5/2003 1:16:59 PM

Western Pa.

I got my germ. mat from Mellinger's.(They have a website.) I recommend you also get a thermostatic control, so you don't cook your seeds. No one ever said this was a cheap hobby!

3/5/2003 1:39:11 PM

Paradise Mountain, New York

Do it the way i do. Buy a good thermostatic and a cheap heating pad you would use on your back. place a cloth over the heating pad, then place this in a box. place your pots onto of the heating pad. works great for me

3/5/2003 1:46:15 PM

Billerica,Massachusetts

Charley's green house supplies

http://www.charleysgreenhouse.com/

3/5/2003 2:05:20 PM

Bemidji, MN

Andy, I use a waterbed heater myself. fairly easy to find old/used ones for little or nothing. Can be thermistatically controlled for bottom heat. Steve

3/5/2003 2:05:54 PM

Buffalo,Minnesota

I just bought mine from Ebay, cost me about $29.00 delivered. Can`t wait to try it out in the next few weeks.

3/5/2003 7:07:11 PM

Burt NY

I use a electric blanket off the bed

3/6/2003 10:11:34 AM

Lake Elmo, Minnesota

Thanks to all. Great ideas. I'm on it.

3/6/2003 12:34:03 PM

Montoursville, PA

In one of the Holland VCR's he uses hot water in jars placed into an insulated ice cooler. Many are the ways to get that ten to fifteen degress above room temperature.

One of the ways I am pleased with is a light bulb stuck in the end of a strafoam cooler. Got eighty three degrees by playing with light bulbs.

3/6/2003 4:11:07 PM

[email protected]

Dwaine be careful. It'll be really warm in there if the darn thing starts a fire.
Steve

3/6/2003 7:07:17 PM

Montoursville, PA

Thanks for the warning. I tested with a hand held torch. It melts but does not burn. Holding 83 degrees and not melting.
Been sitting right beside it for several days. The bulb is laying on a bath room tile.

3/6/2003 9:51:42 PM

Amherst, WI

I built a small table, with the top being a 2'x3' piece of sheet metal. Under this are six 25watt light bulbs hooked up to a dimmer switch. I can controll the soil temp to hold at 85 degrees or so. On top of the table is a box made of styrofoam to enclose every thing. Very high germination rate with this system. Grow lights hang above the plants on chains which can be raised as the plants grow.

3/8/2003 11:00:23 AM