useing waterbed heater for seed warmer?

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I got an extra waterbed heater.And was wondering if it's possable to use it as a heating pad for starting seeds in flats?And whats a good temperture to keep soil at for best germation of seeds?. For 6 yrs I have started all my vegtables and flowers from seeds but can't seem to get good roots on seedlings like store bought flats of veg and flowers. Does anyone have any tips on how to get good roots on seedling started from seeds

-- K Smith (smith4994@aol.com), June 07, 2001

Answers

I don't know but will watch this post as this interest me also...

-- Jacque (bojaq@lynks.com), June 07, 2001.

I think you could definitely use the heater for seeds. Not sure about the roots. I plant my seeds in a 50/50 mixture of compost/potting soil, then cover the seeds with vermiculite. I put the seed trays in a little Jiffy covered tray and I bottom-water when needed. This method yields great results for me. I never have damping off problems (I think because the vermiculite is sterile), and the seedlings seem to have good roots.

-- Elizabeth (ekfla@aol.com), June 07, 2001.

Wow, what a good idea! I have an old waterbed heater I've had for years ,but didn't know what to do with it. I'm going to give it a try.

-- debra in ks (solid-dkn@msn.com), June 07, 2001.

Hi I use several of those heaters for starting my perennial seeds. Here's what I do, take a piece of plywood about 4 in. bigger than the heater on all sides, nail some boards about 3 in. high around the plywood to form sides. now set the heater inside and cover it with several layers of plastic or a piece of the old waterbed mattres,make sure the plastic comes up over the sides,this is to keep the heater dry. next cover the heater with sand or dirt at least 1 in.[sand seems to work best'keep it moist].place the temp. sensor close to the middle on top of the sand but under your pots or flats.put a terometer in a pot of soil and set the heater control. check the temp often it takes a wile to get it just right you may have to set it as high as 80 or 85 to get your soil at the right temp. ALWAYS make sure your temp sensor is kept under a pot and over the heater or it could overheat and fry your seeds "this i know from experience. [the ideal temp for germaniation is between 70 to 75 that's for almost all plants].I grow over 250 types of perennials from seed and that's what I use to start them all.

SHAWN

-- shawn (jungleboys@hotmail.com), June 10, 2001.


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