This is a public-interest archive. Personal data is pseudonymized and retained under GDPR Article 89.

Re: Heating cables

Bob Carter wrote:
> 
> Susan <augustyn@colby.ixks.com> wrote:
> 
> > Hello!
> 
> > Any advice from seasoned growers on how to supply warmth for germination?
> > What are the pros and cons of each kind, such as heating cables versus other
> > practices, etc.
> 
> For just a few trays worth, you can use a "baseboard" type heater set on low.
> By baseboard type I mean one of those long heaters which doesn't have a
> glowing element in it, making it relatively safe to use this way (I've done
> it myself many times).  Set some narrow boards up on cider blocks, so that
> there is enough room for the heater plus 3-4" headroom underneath.  Set up
> your florescent lights (or whatever) over this.  If you can enclose this
> somewhat to retain the gentle heat (you're aiming for 25-30°C) all the better.
> 
> If you want to do more than this than I'd reccomend getting a soil heating
> cable.  Some of the shorter ones come with a thermostat built in, but you
> cannot adjust preset temperature range they go on/off at.  I prefer cables
> without the built in thermostat and use an external, adjustable unit to
> control the heat.  These cables come in various lengths, up to 240' long.
> The 100' long cable is enough to cover the equivelant of a 4x8 area (a full
> sheet of plywood).  I have a bench with 1" built up sides, filled with clean
> sand that the heating cable is sunk into.  It works great and allows me to
> get good germination of warmth requiring seeds without having to overheat
> my entire greenhouse.
> 
> I'm sure there are other simple methods that have been successful for growers.
> 
> > Also, at what point is it beneficial to reduce the heat for seedlings to
> > prevent  leggy growth?
> 
> As soon as the bulk have germinated remove the seedlings from the heat.
> "Growing on" temperatures are typically 10-15°C lower than those required for
> germination.
> 
> Cheers!
> 
> --
>  Bob Carter  -  bcarter@awinc.com
>  Kootenay Bay, BC, Canada  -  Zone 6b
> --
> 
> I can SPELL, I just can't TYPE worth a hoot !
Hi:
Up here in Canada we use electric blankets in the winter months(implying
my age here)...Anyway come May I simply put my blankie on the floor and
lay my trays over top of it!
Wanda in Nova Scotia
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index