heat matts

Joined : 23 Jun 2008 Posts : 20 Location : Australia

I use and recommend the Heatngrow setups.

I have a couple of four foot units with built in thermostates and my cacti seedlings love them.

They are expensive, but well worth it imo.

I found putting a layer of glad wrap over the capillary mat keeps the moisture in and only needs wetting down every couple of months or so (needs wetting nearly weekly without it).

Very maintence free, especially when growing in sealed containers.

Subject: Re: heat matts Thu Jul 03, 2008 6:49 am

the glad wrap idea sounds good! will have to give it a go...

cheers Lanna Wink

Joined : 23 Jun 2008 Posts : 20 Location : Australia

NP San Rainbow.

If you don't already do it, I would also recommend adding a little bleach to your water when wetting the capillary mat, it stops unwanted algae and fungal bacteria from growing, wet and warm conditions are ideal breeding grounds for nasties...

Moderator Joined : 06 Apr 2008 Posts : 354 Location : oz

This is going to sound like the dumbest of questions - I've got a heat and grow with the mat thing and then a tray with a cover...
are you saying I should wet the mat thingy???? to promote heat transfer or something????

Mines dry and I just assumed it was to stay dry?

signed by horribly confused????

Subject: Re: heat matts Thu Jul 03, 2008 8:08 pm

yep you wet it, use lurk warm water, I do mine with a mini water can in the morning and in evening so its nice and damp.
if you let it dry to much it doesn't absorb the water very well.

it helps with the heat displacement.

Moderator Joined : 06 Apr 2008 Posts : 354 Location : oz

mmm - mines been on all week and dry.

Does EVERYBODY wet their mats?????????????? How embarrassing. It seems that San and Lanna both do.... starting to feel like a dweeb here

Joined : 07 May 2008 Posts : 349 Location : Melbourne

i have never done this and i have never been told to do this. in fact i just checked the writing on my heat mat and it says 'avoid contact with water'.
So i'm with you calycium, as a non-bedwetter.

Subject: Re: heat matts Thu Jul 03, 2008 8:31 pm

I'm new to the whole wetting mat thing, I had to double take when I read the instructions scratch

but it kinda makes sense i spose

Subject: Re: heat matts Thu Jul 03, 2008 8:32 pm

yeah i wet mine, only coz the friendly guy at the hydro shop told me too, i think the instructions may mention it? i was to excited to read them, to busy washing sand and sowing seed.
the box has a website on it and they are made here in melbs, if anyone else is interested in getting one of these babies maybe we could go directly to them and try and get them wholesale. i have a 2 foot one and looking at getting a 4 foot one in the near future.
anyone else keen?

Subject: Re: heat matts Thu Jul 03, 2008 8:35 pm

commenting on Lewis's post... I think only the heat n grow brand with the fabric insert are the ones you keep damp.
I wouldn't recommend doing this with non nursery grade heat mats.

Moderator Joined : 06 Apr 2008 Posts : 354 Location : oz

Went to the web site and had a look and it says to wet it...

"Thermostat
models come with felt capillary matting. This must be
kept damp to ensure effective heat transfer to the roots of
the plants."

Thanks all for information - off to water my mat (and seedlings)

Subject: Re: heat matts Thu Jul 03, 2008 8:46 pm

Bet wetters now that's interesting Shocked

So what do these heat mats of yours look like? You have got me interested.........not that I need another one. But you never know!!!!

Mine is like a big electric blanket covered in waterproof fabric. Here's a pic of it when I first got it

_________________
Betty

http://community.webshots.com/user/parrotsheaven

Moderator Joined : 06 Apr 2008 Posts : 354 Location : oz

Heres mine (now with a wet mat)

HeatnGrow site

Betty, yours looks wild

Subject: Re: heat matts Thu Jul 03, 2008 8:51 pm

http://www.heatngrow.com.au/
i have a 2 foot one with a built in thermostat,
not much to them, but very good

Subject: Re: heat matts Thu Jul 03, 2008 8:56 pm

what do you sow your seeds in calycium?i'm using 1 lt take away containers, fits 10 of them perfectly