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Post by thecat2008 on Nov 2, 2011 19:57:00 GMT
Hello, This is my first posting, I am wondering if I can use a reptile heat mat for over wintering houseplants, and what would I put on the top to cover it. I thought of a sun tunnel cloche as it is sturdy and has vents, with a tray underneath, but not sure if it would melt from the heat mat. Has anyone any advise please.
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Post by Geranium on Nov 2, 2011 20:09:36 GMT
Hallo and welcome to GWD. Do you have any idea of the temp. of the mat? Does it have a thermostat?
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Post by Tig on Nov 2, 2011 20:28:32 GMT
Hello from me too  I think other members have posted about using heat mats, I'll see if I can find them. I'm sure Andy posted somewhere??. If anyone else remembers the threads feel free to add the link for me  x Tig |
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Post by Tig on Nov 2, 2011 20:35:10 GMT
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Post by thecat2008 on Nov 2, 2011 22:17:03 GMT
Thanks for your messages and links, I would like a Temp of around 20c and have a thermostate if possible
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Post by andy on Nov 3, 2011 5:40:25 GMT
I got my heat mats from ebay and my sun tunnel from Wyevale garden centre. I found they didn't need a thermostat if left on all the time as the temp never got much above 20c. Nothing melted and i even sprayed things over to increase humidity. Well worth doing IMHO.
if you need any more info, let me know.
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Post by thecat2008 on Nov 3, 2011 16:45:16 GMT
Thanks for that Andy I have ordered the sun tunnel now looking on ebay for the heat mat and will try without a thermostat
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Post by Amber on Nov 3, 2011 17:35:25 GMT
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Post by thecat2008 on Nov 4, 2011 15:12:00 GMT
Perhaps 20c is a little high, am thing of some sorts of houseplants as they are my favorites
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Post by andy on Nov 4, 2011 15:24:49 GMT
Where will the sun tunnel be...inside or out ? I found that the air temp was only up to 20c on occasions and that was in a conservatory heated to around 10c during winter. The plants i grew...from seed, were put directly on the mat and they loved it....but dried out quickly. I added a thin layer of sand (you could also use cheap fish tank gravel) and then put the plants on that and keep the sand damp...which will also keep the humidity up.
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Post by thecat2008 on Nov 4, 2011 22:54:18 GMT
The sun tunnel will be in a small unheated greenhouse.
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Post by lonewolf on Dec 12, 2012 15:20:58 GMT
I've never used a heat mat, but thinking about it for this year's annual seedlings. I did set a heat tape in the bottom of my potato box and it's working great.
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Post by andy on Jan 20, 2013 9:15:23 GMT
I've never used a heat mat, but thinking about it for this year's annual seedlings. I did set a heat tape in the bottom of my potato box and it's working great. To be honest, the difference is amaizing when using a heat mat. Some of my seed trays only fit on the mat by half. The half that was on the heat germinated a lot quicker and they all seemed to come up whereas the half not on the mat were slow and sporadic. This was in the same seed tray don't forget. Well worth investing in a couple in my humble opinion. |
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