Heating pad or grow light?
Monday, August 1st, 2011 at
1:01 pm
When starting pepper seeds indoors in a mini-greenhouse setup (soil starter mix, covered plastic containers on a shelf), which would you recommend to keep them warm (no cooler than 60 degrees F) – a grow light, a heating mat, or both?
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Tagged with: mini greenhouse • pepper seeds • plastic containers • soil • starter mix
Filed under: Grow Light
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I use a regular fluorescent shop light for both heating the seed to promote germination and later to supply light for photosynthesis. Set the mini green house on the top side of the shop light cover. The top can easily attain temperatures up to around 90F. You may have to elevate it a little higher off the top for exact temperature you desire. Once the seedlings emerge and you have your cotyledon leaves even before the true leaves emerge, move the mini-greenhouse to the light side of the unit. Place the as closely as possible to the light. You will not only receive the maximum amount of light, but also some of the heat from the bulbs. Everyone knows the importance of light for photosynthesis however, not everyone realizes how critical the temperature is to healthy growth for the plants. Peppers like it at least 75 degrees to perform at their best during the daylight/lighted hours.
In the artificial light you may need up to 16 hours of exposure
The heating pad will do much more to keep the soil warm for sprouting. Once they sprout, you will want the light.