Tomatoville® Gardening Forums


Notices

New to growing your own tomatoes? This is the forum to learn the successful techniques used by seasoned tomato growers. Questions are welcome, too.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old December 26, 2018   #46
PlainJane
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by roper2008 View Post
I use Jumpstart heating mats. No thermostat, but it works for me. Doesn't overcook
my seeds. I have some now germinating on it.
I’ve been looking at that brand. Good to hear you’re managing fine without a thermostat.
  Reply With Quote
Old December 26, 2018   #47
Rajun Gardener
Tomatovillian™
 
Rajun Gardener's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Tomato Cornhole
Posts: 2,550
Default

Don't over think it, it's used to start seeds not grow plants on that's why it's called a seed starting mat and not a growing mat so just grab a cheap one and go with it. Remove the flats after the seeds pop and you'll never have to worry about burning your plants.

I have the plain Jane he he! iPower Seedling Heat Mat without a t-stat and they have been working as described=10-20° above ambient temperature. They withstood the moisture in the greenhouse for 2 years so for the price I can't complain.

You can also get them from Prime if you have it.
__________________
Rob
Rajun Gardener is offline   Reply With Quote
Old December 26, 2018   #48
Raiquee
Tomatovillian™
 
Raiquee's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 307
Default

I’m thinking of purchasing some flex watt heat tape and doing a whole shelf of my seed starting rack with it.
__________________
Desire'
Mother of 3, homesteader, canner, gardener, dwarf tomato participant.
Raiquee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old December 26, 2018   #49
rhines81
Tomatovillian™
 
rhines81's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Zone 5A, Poconos
Posts: 959
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rajun Gardener View Post
Don't over think it, it's used to start seeds not grow plants on that's why it's called a seed starting mat and not a growing mat so just grab a cheap one and go with it.
Exactly. You'll gain a few extra days (to a point), then after 85F or so it can be diminishing returns with lower germination rates. Most every study shows tomato and pepper seeds germinate just fine at room temperatures (68-72F). Germination "rate" is fine, germination "time" is a few days delayed.
rhines81 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old December 27, 2018   #50
PlainJane
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by rhines81 View Post
Exactly. You'll gain a few extra days (to a point), then after 85F or so it can be diminishing returns with lower germination rates. Most every study shows tomato and pepper seeds germinate just fine at room temperatures (68-72F). Germination "rate" is fine, germination "time" is a few days delayed.
True ... most of my seeds germinate eventually, and tomato seeds are never an issue.
It’s the peppers that (seem to) take forever.
  Reply With Quote
Old December 27, 2018   #51
PlainJane
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default

The price is right if I truly don’t need a thermostat.
  Reply With Quote
Old December 27, 2018   #52
Worth1
Tomatovillian™
 
Worth1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Den of Drunken Fools
Posts: 38,539
Default

Cats
Make
Good
Heat
Mats
Worth
Worth1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old December 27, 2018   #53
taboule
Tomatovillian™
 
taboule's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: MA
Posts: 903
Default

Merci Loulac, great info, I appreciate the time you took to post it.
taboule is offline   Reply With Quote
Old December 27, 2018   #54
loulac
Tomatovillian™
 
loulac's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: France
Posts: 554
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by taboule View Post
Merci Loulac, great info, I appreciate the time you took to post it.
I do appreciate your comment, it's quite gratifynig to know we can bring help to fellow gardeners on Tville.
Loulac
loulac is offline   Reply With Quote
Old December 27, 2018   #55
loulac
Tomatovillian™
 
loulac's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: France
Posts: 554
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by PlainJane View Post
It’s the peppers that (seem to) take forever.

Just because they need more heat than tomatoes.


If I try to have most seeds germinate at the same time it's because I find it difficult to keep a correct dampness for seedlings and still dormant seeds in the same flat. Of course it's not a problem for small batches. It would be interesting to know how professional growers find a solution.
loulac is offline   Reply With Quote
Old December 27, 2018   #56
taboule
Tomatovillian™
 
taboule's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: MA
Posts: 903
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by loulac View Post

If I try to have most seeds germinate at the same time it's because I find it difficult to keep a correct dampness for seedlings and still dormant seeds in the same flat. Of course it's not a problem for small batches. It would be interesting to know how professional growers find a solution.
This reminds me to share my experience, that good technique has at least as much to do with successful and productive germination (and subsequent seedling health) as the equipment itself. I've only used the most basic heating pads (mostly ones that come packaged with a 10x20 tray and pucks) and alter the technique to match the plant variety and batch size.

Even when germinating all seeds of-one-kind in a flat, many days separate the first ones from the laggards. As Loulac mentions, the dormant seeds and seedlings need different environment, not only moisture, but also different heat and light ideally.

I've settled on using "removable" media, either tiny 2x2 square pots (with one or 2 seeds per) or peat pucks in my germinating trays. I inspect every day for emerging seedlings, and immediately remove them to a cooler shelf under intense lights. I then can replenish the vacant spots with new seeds and media.
taboule is offline   Reply With Quote
Old December 27, 2018   #57
PlainJane
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Worth1 View Post
Cats
Make
Good
Heat
Mats
Worth
Lol, I have one on me now.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 34C98689-C6CA-48F6-A303-7D088EBD70BF.jpg (320.9 KB, 70 views)
  Reply With Quote
Old December 27, 2018   #58
PlainJane
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by loulac View Post
Just because they need more heat than tomatoes.


If I try to have most seeds germinate at the same time it's because I find it difficult to keep a correct dampness for seedlings and still dormant seeds in the same flat. Of course it's not a problem for small batches. It would be interesting to know how professional growers find a solution.
I imagine they throw out all the outliers...
  Reply With Quote
Old December 27, 2018   #59
PlainJane
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by taboule View Post
This reminds me to share my experience, that good technique has at least as much to do with successful and productive germination (and subsequent seedling health) as the equipment itself. I've only used the most basic heating pads (mostly ones that come packaged with a 10x20 tray and pucks) and alter the technique to match the plant variety and batch size.

Even when germinating all seeds of-one-kind in a flat, many days separate the first ones from the laggards. As Loulac mentions, the dormant seeds and seedlings need different environment, not only moisture, but also different heat and light ideally.

I've settled on using "removable" media, either tiny 2x2 square pots (with one or 2 seeds per) or peat pucks in my germinating trays. I inspect every day for emerging seedlings, and immediately remove them to a cooler shelf under intense lights. I then can replenish the vacant spots with new seeds and media.
When starting seeds outside (which is most of the year) I use small flats and just make rows for individual varieties. I scoop them out as they’re ready.
For the tomatoes, peppers and eggplant I’ll have 2x2 inch square pots with 1 or 2 seeds in each one, and like you say be able to shuffle them around as needed.
  Reply With Quote
Old December 28, 2018   #60
loulac
Tomatovillian™
 
loulac's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: France
Posts: 554
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by taboule View Post
I've settled on using "removable" media, either tiny 2x2 square pots (with one or 2 seeds per) or peat pucks in my germinating trays.
Simple solutions are most often the best. From now on I’ll add more peat to the mix I usually use and make my own pucks with my tool. I’ll move them about when necessary. The only problem will be keeping the names of the varieties. Now I label my flats with the crosswords technique, letters and numbers. Whenever I have at least four or five identical seeds I’ll switch to homemade peat pucks.
loulac is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:02 PM.


★ Tomatoville® is a registered trademark of Commerce Holdings, LLC ★ All Content ©2022 Commerce Holdings, LLC ★