Heating Mats and Cables

[digger714]

I am looking to get either some heating mats for propagating, or a heating cable. Has anyone here had any experience with either. I have a bed outdoors i use for my cuttings now, so that would be the place for the cable, and i guess i would use my indoor winter setup for the mat, or can they be used outdoors also? Any input on either would be great. Thanks in advance.

 

[monza]

I think it's called 'pipe tracing' or heat tracing available up here at Home Depot or other industrial type supply places. Outdoors yes, that's what it's made for. Depending how much heat and how big of an area is how you decide how many feet you need. Lot's of 'coils' = more heat.

 

[Newcastle]

.........
....... You can use either the heat mats or the (roof) deicing cables. I use deicing cables for my less cold hardy plants when temps dip below freezing here but they work great for rooting too.

I copied this post from another thread to remain on topic. Has anyone else ever used deicing cables for heat?

@Poink88, Do they come with a thermostat? I am looking at a heat mat but I am sure I could use deicing cables and it would cost less. I am looking to make a propagation bench and want or need a thermostat.

 

[Poink88]

I do not believe mine has a built in thermostat.

Check here.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000DGAKL/ref=gno_cart_title_2

For thermostat...
http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTP...=1355419466&sr=1-4&keywords=thermostat+outlet

...or...

http://www.amazon.com/Easy-Heat-EH-38-Thermostatically-Controlled/dp/B0000DGA8P/ref=pd_sim_lg_3

 

[Poink88]

BTW, Check this set up by Marija and Andrija (one of my favorite blogs).

http://www.animabonsai.com/2012/02/heating-bed/

They are students of Walter Pall.

 

[JudyB]

Here are links to heat mats and thermostats that I use and am happy with. Beware the cheap thermostats, because they don't go low enough to work for you for winter in most instances.

I also included a decent cheap humidifier, they are helpful for some plants, but if you are doing olea, then they like it dry.


thermostat 30- 110F - shure-stat
http://www.littlegreenhouse.com/accessory/controls.shtml

thermostat 68-110F - hydrofarm
http://www.charleysgreenhouse.com/8043-Digital-Heat-Mat-Thermostat--E3443-.htm

humidifier - crane cool mist
http://www.amazon.com/Crane-Gallon-...L1SG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1333140482&sr=8-1

small heat mat (super durable, but expensive, that's why I didn't get this for my larger ones..)
http://www.greenhousemegastore.com/product/commercial-propagating-mat/heat-mats-seeding

large heat mats - redi-heat
http://www.growerssupply.com/farm/supplies/prod1;gs1_seed_germination;pg106148

 

[Bill S]

You guys are heating the ground to grow cuttings?????????? If so, you are nuts.

 

[JudyB]

You guys are heating the ground to grow cuttings?????????? If so, you are nuts.

I personally am not, these are part of my cold greenhouse winter protection arsenal.

 

[Poink88]

You guys are heating the ground to grow cuttings?????????? If so, you are nuts.

How did you come to this conclusion?

 

[Bill S]

Hmmm

Must have been a looong day yesterday, I do not know what I swa or saw, that led me to that thought, maybe something in a link maybe. But you gotta admit, heating the ground for cuttings would be nuts. My apologies. Bill


As I reread, I think this is what I had in mind - "I have a bed outdoors i use for my cuttings now, so that would be the place for the cable"

 

[Newcastle]

Must have been a looong day yesterday, I do not know what I swa or saw, that led me to that thought, maybe something in a link maybe. But you gotta admit, heating the ground for cuttings would be nuts. My apologies.

It is my fault, I resurrected a year old post. I did a search for heating pads and this came up. Rather than start a new post a posted here. It looks like the original poster put some cables in the ground.

I am working on a propagation bench for a greenhouse I ordered a mat and thermostat. I will post to the thread after I get it put together. Thanks all for the input.