Get a heat mat with a thermostat so you don't have to worry about overheating.

Where do you live that you need extra warmth this time of year?

I use one in the cooler months and usually take things off of it by the end of April. Definitely get a thermostat, keep it set at around 65-70deg. Check moisture daily, the extra heat dries medium quickly. Another thing to try is a 3 sided tent (for air circulation) over it to heat the ambient air as well. Also try moving the plant to an area that gets some direct sun and protect it from the hot afternoon heat. I've tried all the above, most the time it works, but once in a while nothing helps.

Xerophyte: It isn't so much that I *need* extra heat. I live in Satna Monica, where this time of year highs are in the mid 70's and lows are in the low 60's. I'm just trying to get a plant established as quickly as possible, and soil temperature is a key factor in triggering root growth. I figure if I can get the soil to stay above 70, I'll have a better chance of getting some roots and getting them more quickly. If I do go for a mat, I'll be sure that it comes with a thermostat.

Caudex1: Thanks for the info. I still don't know if I should bother with a mat, or just move it out into the sun. I know the previous grower wasn't able to give it much direct sun, so I'll probably build a little sun screen for the plant, but try to put it somewhere that the sun shines directly on the pot itself.

In a related topic, is the culture for P densiflorum v brevicalyx the same as P densiflorum? I can't imagine there would be any real differences...

Unless you are doing a lot of propagation or repotting off season on a lot of sensitive plants, it might be hard to justify a mat. I have two 8 footers on a thermostat and love them. But I grow a lot of seedlings and root a number of tropicals from cuttings.

With the mats down in my basement I can start literally hundreds of seedlings in January or February and have decent size on them before they go to the greenhouse or outdoors weather permitting. It basically extends my growing season 3 months on these seedlings.

I wish I had a few giant heat mats myself! Lucky to break 70 lately up here in MA! My succulents are like "what's up?"...

Not to be non-PC, but I need some global warming ;-)!

Tom