From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Chivasso, Torino, Italy

What do you think it's the best and simplest way to heat seedlings? I know that heating cables are a good choice but I don't really know how to use them. Do you have any other suggestion? I was thinking about using a light bulb...

4/10/2015 6:16:23 PM

Upa Creek, MO

Outside and transplanted? A semi high watt bulb in a small, self built cold frame has never failed. Some guys use candles, some use warm bottles of water. Be smart and dont burn it either. This is just for cold nights. I am in a warm enough spot that cables aren't required, good luck.

4/10/2015 9:57:12 PM

Whitehall Montana

I have a 3x5 ft cold frame and run a small electric heater with thermostat in the cold frame set at 80 degrees

4/10/2015 11:21:51 PM

Chivasso, Torino, Italy

My cold frame is 4x5 ft, and here in Italy the maximum day temperature when I'll transplant seedlings in ground will be around 70 F, and the minimum during night will be 52/53 F. I was looking for a halogen lamp, about 120 W. I can set them with a small termostat that switch on and off the lamps. Do you think it can work?

4/11/2015 7:59:34 AM

Western NY

I use a 125 watt heat lamp with a reflector behind it but I dont put it very close to plant. Make sure you ventilate during the day, I have toasted plants on a 60 degree day with no venting.

4/11/2015 10:09:24 AM

Chivasso, Torino, Italy

Thank you very much, during the day the frames are opened in order to ventilate them and closed in the evening. What's about directing the halogen reflector directly to the ground?

4/11/2015 10:58:31 AM

Lexington, Ky

4x4x3 poly covered with 500 watt halogen work light, cozy 80 F last night...ambient was 38 F. Temps measured from remote weather station.

4/11/2015 1:25:43 PM

Slate River,Ont. Canada

I use heater cables about 6 inches under soil.Ground will be 70 degrees in about 4 days even if there is frost in the ground.I put a 100 watt light in on cold nights and extra container over plant just to be sure.
A light alone is not enough here to heat the soil.Short growing season so we use every advantage we can.

4/11/2015 9:19:46 PM

Billerica,Massachusetts

i use soil cables and small heaters which can be picked up almost anywhere for cheap, around $20.00 and are thermostatically controlled

4/13/2015 7:50:54 AM