From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Karns City PA

Last year I used regular flood light bulbs seemed to work ok ...anyone use this method and if so what watt bulbs seem to work best? I'm planting out tomorrow and the night temps are going to be between 45 and 50

4/30/2014 8:15:02 PM

Connecticut

I use a heat lamp like they use in hotel bathrooms.

4/30/2014 9:38:09 PM

Central Illinois

you might want to experiment one night befor you have planted, it could get to hot and fry your baby

5/1/2014 7:51:06 AM

Central Minnesota

I have several tests going in my shed right now using heat lamps. The good thing about using a heat lamp is that they are cheap. The bad part is the heat is very inconsistant unless you add a fan also. The cold frame I am heating is 3ft x 5ft and 2 ft high. The light is hanging from the top currently in the middle and the temp under the light at one foot is 128 degrees. The temp one foot from the light on the top is 60 degrees. On the edge of the frame it is 40 degrees.

5/1/2014 10:01:25 AM

New York

Regular flood lights a couple feet from the plant have worked well for me, but I usually only turn them on when there is a potential for frost, or the hoop houses have failed to heat up enough during the day. 100 watt and 65 watt seem to work fine.

50F isn't that cold, so like others have said... be careful you don't overheat the plants.

5/1/2014 10:16:13 AM

Billerica,Massachusetts

small electric heaters pick them up anywhere for like 20 bucks have a temp controller thermostat more reliable than a bulb

5/1/2014 1:33:10 PM

Zurich, Ontario Canada

I always wondered if heatlamp was the best way to go!! A plant is used to day and night, and I wonder if the constant light has any negative effects.

5/1/2014 3:27:13 PM

Holton, Michigan

I used electric heater if I don't want to worry about loosing a good seed. Or just get better groth. I use storm doors with double plastic on two sides and remee on top. Worked great !!!!

5/2/2014 10:31:42 AM

Karns City PA

Thanks for all the input, I had some 125w inferred heat bulbs, but switch back to 65w flood lights they seem to be working better, as of last night didn't matter all my greenhouses with lights go broke into by a bear, plants all seem good but had a 50's night, going to do a little porch hunting this evening lol

5/2/2014 11:35:51 AM