Lucky,

I think you would have problems with people heating pads as most turn off automatically. I tried to find one last year for my elderly dog that did not turn off and I looked forever before I found one.

Linda

Linda
Do you have an opinion on the heating pads for plants
and seedlings sold in gardening stores? They are about the size of the trays they are designed to go under. Seems that topic was discussed on this forum in the past, when others were considering using them. It may have been in one of Irina's old posts. It can be helpful to scour the older posts for information on various topics because it often will provide many points of view and opinions based on experience.

Joanne

Linda
Where did you find the pad for the dog?
I have some pads I bought at garage sales. The one I used last night kept a thimble of water set in amongst the rooting leaf pots at 73 degrees all night. I hope it doesn't quit. It is very old, I think.
Joanne
I searched for information on the forum. I found Linda's mention of using pads but not much else.
I wonder about the seed heating pads.

I use the ones that Joanne talked about. They are the size of a tray and I believe they regulate themselves temperature-wise. (I'll have to check on that). I use them under leaves in the cool weather. I have used them with and without domes; the domes work better.

The only place I could find them locally was Worm's Way. I've been very happy with them.

The heating pad I found at CVS. I wouldn't use a people heating pad under plants, though. Even the warmest setting is too hot. Plus, they are more expensive than plant pads.

Linda

The pads were at an ACE hardware store/home gardening center. probably, they are at other stores that have gardening supplies.
j

This post was edited by fortyseven on Mon, Apr 28, 14 at 19:19

Is 73 degrees too hot for rooting leaves? What is a good temperature for rooting leaves?
I will check the temp tonight with soil because (Hurray) I got some leaves.
I think if anyone didn't have a good people heating pad, the seeding mats are the way to go.
I read people pads were dangerous, of course I am careful with mine, not a drop of water, plugged into a good electrical surge protector and my pad/pots are on top of a wood burning stove.
But I saw a post by someone on the "seed" thread and he said, (I quote) "If heating pads were dangerous, us incontinent old geezers would be fried in our metal frame beds."
Even so, I recommend the proper seed mats (excepting me of course)

I used the seedling heating pad last year and found it would get too hot without a thermostat.
http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPRTC-Digital-Thermostat-Heat/dp/B000NZZG3S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1398774927&sr=8-1&keywords=thermostat+for+heating+mat
I set the thermostat for 70 and it kept the mat at the correct temp. Otherwise the mat tended to overheat.
Wendy/SK

I have no idea what my pads heat to. I'll see if I can find out. I have heard of people setting leaves on top of hot water heaters, refrigerators, radiators, etc., so I am thinking that a certain temperature is not much of an issue.

Where are you located? Room temps. might be fine now.

Linda

Linda
In early spring, starting leaves on heat pads might speed up the process. I read greenhouses use bottom heat and cut their rooting times significantly. I don't remember what heat setting was recommended but so far my leaves are doing fine and we will see. I worry about rot, of course.
In any event, it was 38 F and we don't heat or cool in March/April.

I know greenhouses use bottom heat for rooting-been there, done that. But, a greenhouse is a very different environment than a home environment so that was why I was wondering where you are located. Cool temps. and bottom heat can be a recipe for disaster.

Linda

Linda
I am in Central Arizona, too high for saguaro and too low for pines.
It is a four season climate but we have milder drier winters than other States and very hot summers. Spring and Fall are dry with temperature of a typical day 35-90 F, humidity 5-20%. The heating and cooling correct the heat/humidity in winter and summer but we don't use either in spring and fall.
It is called Steppe and people have told me it is very similar to Afghanistan.
We heat in the winter and cool in the summer.
Summer is our "winter" because our summer weather can be life threatening. Everything hides from the sun in summer, even the lizards. We grow sunflowers in semi-shade.