Heat mat alternative question

[TropicsEnjoyer]

I had a quick question. I was wondering if one of those heating pillows are a suitable option to use as a makeshift heat mat. Im not one who gets injured very often so I can spare the health tool for some seeds. But is it just as effective, is it risky, or has anyone else done the same thing. I know heat mats are pretty cheap anyway but if I can save 10-15$ for a plant instead I’d be happier haha.

[richnorm]

Just be sure to avoid moisture and should be fine if the temperature is right. I used a pet bed heater for several years and have heard of recycled water bed heaters being used for the same purpose.  There's enough stuff in the world so why not repurpose?

[JohnAndSancho]

When I first started germinating seeds I was using a heating pad and I absolutely do not recommend those at all. Google and see how hot it actually gets. Granted my heating pad was half broken and only worked on high but it got just a wee bit too hot. I'm all for upcycling, but between closeouts and Black Friday and eBay deals, I'm pretty happy with my actual seedling heat mats now. Thermostats and knowing exactly what temp your soil/baggies are is nice, especially when you can check them from your wifi. I scored some 48x20 mats for $9 apiece and got the Inkbird wifi thermostat for $20 shipped all in. I'm having a lot more success now. 

[SeanK]

2 hours ago, JohnAndSancho said:

When I first started germinating seeds I was using a heating pad and I absolutely do not recommend those at all. Google and see how hot it actually gets. Granted my heating pad was half broken and only worked on high but it got just a wee bit too hot. I'm all for upcycling, but between closeouts and Black Friday and eBay deals, I'm pretty happy with my actual seedling heat mats now. Thermostats and knowing exactly what temp your soil/baggies are is nice, especially when you can check them from your wifi. I scored some 48x20 mats for $9 apiece and got the Inkbird wifi thermostat for $20 shipped all in. I'm having a lot more success now. 

I agree. Germination is typically around 86°F or 30° C. It would be very hard to regulate the temperature on a standard heating pad.

[JohnAndSancho]

1 hour ago, SeanK said:

I agree. Germination is typically around 86°F or 30° C. It would be very hard to regulate the temperature on a standard heating pad.

Yeah it sucked. And the heating pad was old and only worked on high. I'm still mad that I roasted those Chambeyronia seeds. I coulda had a few nice palms by now. Live and learn, man. I've got one set of mats daisy chained at 89, one set at 85, and one set at 87.5... it almost looks like I know what I'm doing now. 

[SeanK]

21 hours ago, JohnAndSancho said:

Yeah it sucked. And the heating pad was old and only worked on high. I'm still mad that I roasted those Chambeyronia seeds. I coulda had a few nice palms by now. Live and learn, man. I've got one set of mats daisy chained at 89, one set at 85, and one set at 87.5... it almost looks like I know what I'm doing now. 

Sancho is probably looking for that heating pad tonight.

[happypalms]

Does it have a thermostat control, if not it will just keep on heating up. If you go away it could become an electrical problem, or worse overheating and a fire. 

[JohnAndSancho]

21 hours ago, SeanK said:

Sancho is probably looking for that heating pad tonight.

Yeah, it's a little chilly. He dgaf though, walking outside with ice crunching under his paws at night like it's nothing. If 2021 didn't phase him when he literally sank in the snow, this ain't gonna bug him. 

[happypalms]

38 minutes ago, JohnAndSancho said:

Yeah, it's a little chilly. He dgaf though, walking outside with ice crunching under his paws at night like it's nothing. If 2021 didn't phase him when he literally sank in the snow, this ain't gonna bug him. 

Snow and your growing bananas! 

[JohnAndSancho]

1 hour ago, happypalms said:

Snow and your growing bananas! 

Haven't seen snow in a few years but when I was running the hotel in TX I couldn't leave work for almost 2 weeks. I walked him and he just sunk in the snow. It's just cold here, praise jeebus. 

[happypalms]

13 minutes ago, JohnAndSancho said:

Haven't seen snow in a few years but when I was running the hotel in TX I couldn't leave work for almost 2 weeks. I walked him and he just sunk in the snow. It's just cold here, praise jeebus. 

I got too see snow in Manitoba Canada minus 30, flip me it was cold, took  breath away, snow is not for this summer bunny iam afraid you can have your snow bunny’s !

[JohnAndSancho]

13 minutes ago, happypalms said:

I got too see snow in Manitoba Canada minus 30, flip me it was cold, took  breath away, snow is not for this summer bunny iam afraid you can have your snow bunny’s !

No sir. I live in the south for a reason. I want nothing to do with it. I have a friend in NJ sending me pictures from up there and it's all a hard NOPE from me. I could literally see Sancho's farts this morning. 

[SeanK]

56 minutes ago, happypalms said:

I got too see snow in Manitoba Canada minus 30, flip me it was cold, took  breath away, snow is not for this summer bunny iam afraid you can have your snow bunny’s !

That's why Bachman & Cummings moved south.

[happypalms]

3 minutes ago, SeanK said:

That's why Bachman & Cummings moved south.

The Tropic of Capricorn is about as far south you move to from that cold place!

[happypalms]

47 minutes ago, JohnAndSancho said:

No sir. I live in the south for a reason. I want nothing to do with it. I have a friend in NJ sending me pictures from up there and it's all a hard NOPE from me. I could literally see Sancho's farts this morning. 

There are a few places in my area that receive minus 2 degrees Celsius, and pretty frosty mornings , I call them the dead zone for gardening, no way is that for me a black frost zone.