NO NO NO - DON'T DO IT. Sorry for shouting, but, those heating pads are not designed to be used 24 -7. Go to a full service garden shop or nursery and you will be able to purchase a heating mat or tape (designed for 24-7 use) at a safe reasonable cost.

Oh ok thanks i was just wondering i guess i'm going to go ahead and buy a germination kit ..

LOL...its ok topher...I am reading between the lines....LOL

Hi topher or anyone else have a good source for heat mats. I can't find a place here for buying. Maybe online ordering. Need to get seeds growing. Thanks.

gator
Lots of heat mats, germination kits and such for sale on e- bay . That's where i get all my growing stuff... but any home depot / garden center should have them for sale...

I've received great service from this company:

http://www.groworganic.com/item_GP965_ElectraGrowMat14x21.html

Good luck.

The one from Bryan at Alligator Alley is working great. It's keeping the soil just at 85 degrees. You may want to get one of his because I think they are cheaper, and they work just as well. The sabal seeds will be germinating soon!

I read that if you put your seeds in a 1/1 mixture of perlite/peat and place in a ziplock bag and put on top of fridge or simalar heat source, it works just as well. Any thoughts?

topher,

I have to second oppalm, bite the bullet and get a heat mat intended for seeds and seedlings. Save the heating pad for your sore back. That's what they're made for, not germinating seeds. In addition, if any moisture leaked into a heating pad, there would be a danger of electrocution. Most (but not all) heat mats are waterproof.

I got mine from Worm's Way and have had good luck with them.

Here is a link that might be useful: heated mats

Protempsfish

That's exactly what i did with my washingtonia fififera
and they have already germinated !
about 2 wks......

I have been soaking some seeds the last few days. I noticed when I put my son's advent calender on top of the fridge, it melted the chocolate inside. After wiping the tears away due to the lost chocolate, I thought I could turn this disaster into a positive lesson. I should probably take the temperature as too much heat is not good either. We will see in 2-4 weeks what transpires!