Reptile heat mat a winner for growing plants early
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This section is for discussion on all methods of plant propagation
This section is for discussion on all methods of plant propagation
- Dave Brown
- Site Admin
- Posts: 19742
- Joined: Sun Jul 09, 2006 10:17 am
- Location: Chalk, (Thames Estuary) Kent, England 51.5N 0.3E
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Reptile heat mat a winner for growing plants early
I bought a Reptile heat mat to start plants off early in my conservatory. These seem to be a lot cheaper than Plant marketed heat mats. Ebay Item: 250495285994
I bought the longest one they did as it is almost as long as my conservatory shelf.
This was covered with spare polystyrene ceiling tiles
Then covered with a space survival blanket
Then the heat mat was laid across the top.
Finally on top I placed aluminium plant trays with the plants.
I also ordered 2 x Aquarium Max/Min Thermometers. Ebay Item: 280486816259 These have a waterproof probe on a wire. The probe of one has been inserted into a pot about 5 cm below the surface to monitor temps. The other will be used to monitor 30cm soil temps outside.
I really did not know what to expect but temps of the compost are about 6C warmer than minimum air temp at night, and so far the temps have ranged from 17.6C to 22.6C. The Colocasia and Musa zebrina are responding well so far.
Best regards
Dave
_________________________________________________
Roll on summer.....
http://www.hardytropicals.co.uk
Dave
_________________________________________________
Roll on summer.....
http://www.hardytropicals.co.uk
Re: Reptile heat mat a winner for growing plants early
These are great, i have a couple i use in trays to kick pups and cuttings into life and keep the few very tender plants i have ticking over. The good thing is the wattage is very low (i think mine are circa 30w) so they are cheap to run.
Re: Reptile heat mat a winner for growing plants early
I have some old heat mats in the loft and some Reptile thermostats .Heat mats are ok placed underneath as long they dont get wet . I had a large Python that had shocks from piffing on a mat .Thats a great idea for plants .
- Dave Brown
- Site Admin
- Posts: 19742
- Joined: Sun Jul 09, 2006 10:17 am
- Location: Chalk, (Thames Estuary) Kent, England 51.5N 0.3E
- Contact:
Re: Reptile heat mat a winner for growing plants early
They are laminated so can take some wet, but not immersed.derrick wrote:I have some old heat mats in the loft and some Reptile thermostats .Heat mats are ok placed underneath as long they dont get wet . I had a large Python that had shocks from piffing on a mat .Thats a great idea for plants .
Best regards
Dave
_________________________________________________
Roll on summer.....
http://www.hardytropicals.co.uk
Dave
_________________________________________________
Roll on summer.....
http://www.hardytropicals.co.uk