Heat mats can be a help in certain circumstances, but in many cases it can hurt development. In today’s episode we are talking about which seeds need a heat mat nd which ones don’t.
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45 Comments
Dude….
If you change the size from 10×20 to 20×40, you have NOT doubled the space, you have QUADRUPLED the space. You can sprout FOUR trays on a 20×40 heat mat. 200 square inches to 800 square inches.
Hoss tools does a thermostatically controlled heat mat
Marijuana comes up as early as 2 days but usually 3 days consistently on a heat mat.
Never thought of cold tolerant plants not needing heat mats . Duh! Or mixing heat loving plants and cold tolerant plants on heat mats in the same tray. This year my cold tolerant seeds are in milk jugs outside. Thanks for this info.
Very helpful. Thank you!
What about tomatoes
Great video. I do start my sunflowers indoors on a heat map, but only because the squirrels dig up the seeds and eat them. Is there a way to prevent this that's not more trouble than just starting them indoors?
Is there an intended 'top' and 'bottom' to heat mats? I've had many over the years but have never seen a this-side-up indicated?
Great info 👊🏾😊💚
I still utilize a tip you mentioned. Rather than bother with a thermostat, slip a piece of corrugated cardboard between the 10×20 tray(s) and the heat mat. This helps reduce the potential for cooking one's seedlings. I also remove the mat after most everything has germinated.
Thanks, Luke
So…. I like to take my seedlings mat to bed… accidentally fell asleep and my legs were on FIRE (figuratively) lol don’t be me ❤😊
Great video. Several vegetables were intuitive. Others I did not know. I have never used a heat mat but was considering one this year for my tomatoes and peppers. Thank you for all the info.
Fantastic video. I just got my heat mats and this gave me a lot more peace of mind on using them. Currently germinating Egyptian lilies 🤞. Really appreciated the personal notes on the many common crops (especially cilantro). Also glad to know that its okay to use cardboard like that. I had the same idea but was hesitant to do so.
About cilantro: I've already up-potted the sprouts after they got their first true leaves, how low a temp can they tolerate outside? I'm in the Dayton area and it's still cold. TIA.
Thanks Luke. Certainly know what I did wrong now. 😊
We built a greenhouse. Would it be better to use heat mats or heat in general? Growing in Maryland 7B
Good info! Thanks Luke! I just got 4, 20”x48” heat mats with digital thermostats for my new grow rack. I have another smaller rack in my basement I’ll use for the cool weather crops.
Luke thanks for this video was very informative. Got my seeds yesterday and I'm so excited to start❤
Thanks for information
I would like to challenge something you said. You said that corn doesn't like being transplanted but then said carrots can be. A carrot is objectively worse to transplant because it will stop growing if you dislodge it. If you apply the same logic for corn you can reliably start them indoors.
Used a heat mat for my super hot peppers. Cooked every one. Tried again without heat. Got germination on most seeds
You just cost AMAZON some money. I was looking for heat matS for my plants but, after your video, I don't need any for any reason. I'm on Maryland's Eastern Shore.
Thanks.
Bob
Thank you Luke— just the info I was looking for as I consider purchasing a heat mat!
So you just use the heat mats for germination and once they sprout take the heat mats off?
Is early February to early to start watermelon indoors?
Pro tip: you can get thermostats specifically made for use with heat mats and are super useful if you are trying to hit a specific soil temp. Just stuff the thermistor into the middle of your starter flat and set the temp you want. Super reliable.
Question I have always had, uneven germination. Not everything in the tray sprouts the same day, even if it's the same veggie. So, do you turn it off when the first ones sprout, and risk slower germination for the rest, or do you keep it on until most have sprouted and risk legginess from the first ones? I have struggled with this for 5 years now.
Luke, how about parsley? Beets? Chard? Kale?
I use an adjustable thermostat for my mat. Makes things so much easier!
What is better; grow lights or heat mats?
Interesting video. Thanks.
Would appreciate your recommendations for a heat mat to germinate Parsley (Italian & Curly), please.
I find that the seeds that prefer 65-75 do best at room temperature, not on heat mat. I keep my home around 70*.
Such great information. I’m going to watch again and take notes 😊
Thanks!
Was wondering about broccoli on the heat mat just today, turned on YouTube and voila, there was my answer. 👍🏻
Hi, Luke-very helpful video today! As for herbs; what about dill and parsley? are heat mats beneficial and if so direct or indirect?
Thank you, I always learn something new when I watch you.
Luke what happens when seeds don't all germinate at the same time when on a heat matt?Do you wait to take the whole thing off the matt till all germinate?
i got a heat mat recently that has a heat control on it so i can keep it a certain temp. since I'm going to be doing mostly peppers and tomatoes that should work great but i really appreciated the tip about the cardboard in case i ever need it. yet another little tip to go into my gardening notebook for future reference. now to just wait for my seeds to ship from you guys 🙂
Hi there, I've been gardening for ~10 years and by no means am I an expert, but I've found that corn will transplant just fine. Corn is a grass and is VERY hardy, neigh impossible to kill. I've transplanted rootbound corn seedlings directly into rocky, bad soil and every one of them grew great. Now, it is a lot more time consuming to plant out each individual corn seedling instead of just sewing them, but I've never found that they have an issue.
I have a bunch of old hand towels that are slightly larger than 10×20 that I lay over top of my heat mats so the trays are not directly on the heat. It's worked great for me the last several years.
Like with tomato and pepper plants after they sprout can I turn the heat mat down to like 70 degrees and keep the sprouts on the heat mat?
Mark
It is interesting what you say about beans. That got me to thinking about early American (Indian) growing method of the 3 sisters together. Have you tried growing the 3 sisters as a group? From what you said the beans could be a early crop (summer) the others a fall crop spreading out the harvest. So what have you tried?
Thanks for the good info on heat mats. Can you germinate on a heat mat in a cool ambient temperature and continue growing in that environment?
You don't seem to like transplanting corn. It is only a type of grass and will transplant readily. I like to use transplants to have corn of similar maturity dates planted at the same time as I've planted seeds in the ground. Don't use small containers when starting corn indoors so when they are put into the garden the roots aren't disturbed very much. Try to plan things so your corn transplants are only about 3 weeks old. Seems to work best for me. if you live in the northeast this may be the only way to get 100 day corn to mature before frost. Try it you will like it!
Great advice. I'm glad you mentioned the buffers. I had some failure until I discovered I needed those heat mats under my 10x20s. Game changer!
. OH…A note on something I discovered 3 years ago. The industry has introduced smaller flat sizing for commercial nurseries that are smaller than 10×20. They fit the newer size of starter pak inserts and pots. So if anyone saves flats for reusing from nurseries just know they may not fit the same.