Re: Campanula speed up

In a message dated 12/23/00 1:01:08 PM Pacific Standard Time,
flowers@simplegiftsfarm.com (Doug Green) writes:

<<The constant soil temp with heating cables is the key.


Therein lies another problem I have --
Keeping the soil warm and moist enough w/o mold developing.
I have not gotten heating cables yet; mainly b/c I'm not sure what to get or
how to use them.  But from what I've heard, they are more desirable than a
heat mat.  Have you written any articles or put anything in your newsletter
about what you need and how to use them? Or can point me in the right
direction to learn more about them?

Do you lay out the cables under the tray the pots sit in?
Or do you run them between the pots in the tray?
And is the thermostat usually sold separate?
If I fill a 4" pot, the bottom of the pot will be mucho warmer than the top.
Would buying a special soil thermometer be better?

I've been using a heating pad and a thermometer stuck in the soil but I don't
think I am getting the right temps.  My basement runs around 65 degrees F.
(except when it gets this cold for a long time) but I'm not sure what my
actual soil temps are which concerns me since you say the soil temp runs a
lot colder than the air temp.  I had no idea there would be such a large
difference. Right now the air temp in the basement is F 62 so I wonder if the
poor things are getting frostbite.

I've also tried putting my germinating pots under an incandescent lamp in
front of a window; experimenting with different wattages.  So far my
philosophy is that whatever heat I can provide is better than none. But I
also worry about giving them too much heat.

<< Immediately after sowing pour hot water (hand hot as you can stand without
cringing -- not boiling) over them to soak them into the soil. >>
Is there a special way of doing this w/o greatly disturbing the seed and soil?

Happy Holidays and Very Warm Wishes,
Barbara
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