Indoor growing heat source

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

Hello! For those who have or are growing plumerias indoors, just wondering if anyone has used an infrared light to heat up their grow space. I'm growing some cuttings in the garage placed in a big plastic bin (no top, to allow growth), which gets heat from above by CFL lights which are on a 12 hour schedule and a plant/seedling heat pad on a 24 hour schedule. I have a small temperature gauge (nothing fancy) in the grow box which usually reads 65/68F in the mornings around 7am. However, I have been getting better results with higher heat and I am thinking I could get that by adding a heat lamp, like the ones used in reptile cages. The one I'm considering getting is a ceramic infrared bulb, which is painted black so no extra light. I'm hoping to keep a constant temp of 75-85F in the grow box.

Just wondering if anyone has used a bulb like this on their plumerias. Kind of cautious as I do not know how the infrared would affect the cuttings.

Update: Also, just read that infrared does not heat up the surrounding air well so the heat would be concentrated. Additionally, the 'red' in infrared would disrupt night-time cycle for the plumeria. I guess these would both be problematic as i would rather have the surrounding air to be warm (or can I use it to concentrate the heat on the soil...) and i do not want to disrupt the dark period for the plumeria (although the bulb is painted black, but I'm assuming light waves would still penetrate it). Any suggestions on how to add heat to a small grow box?

Heres a link to one of those bulbs:

https://www.amazon.com/BYB-Ceramic-Infrared-Emitter-Brooder/dp/B00HFNZ59Q/ref=cm_cd_al_qh_dp_i

Thanks!

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Comments (4)

Nancy
9 years ago
Hi Ryan,

See that there are no answers to your query yet and hope you get some soon- maybe after the holidays. Just saying hello and wanting to keep in touch. I gave several of my biggest seedlings away as I told you I was going to do- made the recipients and other crowded seedlings happy. Gave away some of my duplicate cuttings and bought some others I'd been pining for. I'm in Encinitas as I write, and my dear husband is caring for my plants. He had no interest in plumerias but has been wonderful about caring for them in my absence. I'm getting a hobby polycarb greenhouse this spring and he's nicely going to assist me with the foundation and setting up water and electric.

Would love to go to JJ's while I'm here but my sister just lost her husband and I'm here to help her make it through that. I don't think she's ready for the long drive out there but will see. Sorry to blab on hope to keep in touch since our seedlings are so close in age. Happy holidays to you Ryan.

Nancy
PRO
the_first_kms2
9 years ago
My assumption would be if the IR heats up the soil then the air above and around the soil eventually warms up too. I don't know if IR light has any impact on a plant's light/dark cycle.
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SD_Plumerias (zone 10)
Original Author
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Hi Nancy! Sorry to hear about your sisters husband and so close to the holidays. Its never easy going through things like that especially this time of year.

My grow tent is getting crowded as well, but I think I'm going to push through the remaining winter before I start giving them away. I just bought some cuttings on ebay from 1_stop_aloha...I read some threads on here that he was a good source for cuttings...i think his name is Matt. Started with 2, then ordered 3 more...and then another 7 from other ebay sellers...i think i have a problem...haha.

So, thats why i had to set up this little grow box for the cuttings. No more room in the grow tent! Getting good temps in the box right now, the heat mat helps tremendously. Congrats on the greenhouse! Thats pretty cool. Wish I had room in the backyard. I'll have to think of something though because after spring, the cuttings and seedlings will be too big to put back in the box or tent. Maybe bigger tent...?

I also want to check out JJ's, but probably sometime in the Spring. This is my first year owning Plumerias (first plant was a 3 foot tree from inlaws this past August) so I still have lots to learn and explore. Keep us updated on the greenhouse!

- Ryan
SD_Plumerias (zone 10)
Original Author
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Thanks for the input the_first_kms2. I might try it if i can find a bulb for a little cheaper as test on a cutting. I just looked at the temp in my box yesterday, and it was around 80/85 and the heat mat is doing a fantastic job of providing bottom heat. Plus i lowered my lights closer to the cuttings which helped too. Based on my observations, the low temp ranges from 68/70F and highs of 80/85F (one time it was in the 90'sF), so there are significant fluctuations. However, it does average about 75F, so the IR might not be needed after all. But if I do try the IR, I'll update.

-Ryan