How To Use Heat Mat For Seedlings

After i ve sown the seeds and turned on the heat mat do i leave it on all night.

How to use heat mat for seedlings.

Heat mats have one basic function which is to gently warm the soil thus promoting faster germination and strong healthy seedlings. If heating mats only raise the temperature by 10f 5c then their benefit is much reduced. Use a seedling heat mat during the seed germination test if you want to see the results sooner. However geraniums are hardy plants and their seeds can cope with colder temperatures compared to other types of seeds.

Heat mats for seedlings are perfect if you choose to grow plants from seeds in winter. Leave the heat mat on and set to the same temperature 24 hours a day until the seeds sprout. Use a heat mat to start your seeds and ensure that as many seeds as possible are able to germinate. When you are late with starting vegetable seeds indoors shave a few days off the planting schedule with the aid of the seedling heat mat.

This could be a natural or artificial light source. Seedlings grown in a mini greenhouse are far less needy of extra heat than seeds exposed to the ambient air. Why using a propagation heat mat is best for your seedlings. How to use seedling mats.

The germination mat helps keep an even germination temperature between 65 80 f. What is a heat mat for plants and exactly what does it do. A heat mat also known as a seedling mat or germination mat comes handy for the purpose of more rapid germination and healthier seedlings. Without the use of a thermostat which they do recommend the highest i got was 30c which is plenty for starting seeds.

Place the heat mat on a flat dry surface in an area that matches the light requirements for your seeds. The idea of turning it off at night usually springs from the observation that the earth cools at night and warms up again in the day thanks to the sun. Our seedling sprouting area is near our windows and since we start our spring garden seedlings in january it can get pretty cold for them. They are useful for rooting cuttings heat mats are marketed as a propagation mat or seedling heat mats as well but the function is the same.

Moderating window and greenhouse temperatures uncovered seeds started in front of a window profit the most from heat mat. Use a soil less mix as it is sterile and made up of finer particles which makes it easier for the seedlings to sprout through. Check your seed packages to determine the ideal temperature and light exposure for seed germination. I tested one mat the redi heat heavy duty propagation mat by phytotronics which claims to reach 49c.

Fill a seedling tray with a quality potting mix.