Thermostatically controlled heating mats

[clearsky57]

So how many folks are using heating mats and what temps do you set yours at???
I have used them and am presently thinking about adding in more to my greenhouse to allow seedings a more stable temp. that way i can moderate my mean temps in the house...

 

[kman]

I have used these for decades, generally for seedlings, setting the temp to between 75 and 78 degrees F, depending on the size and hardiness of the plants.

 

[Skoester]

I use them for brachys and hookerae. I believe I read somewhere that one of the nurseries (Paph Paradise?) uses them to keep their roots from staying too cold/wet and rotting.

All of my brachys have done well with this method, so I continue to use it. All of my orchids are in my house office (PNW/Oregon) and temps are typ in the low 70s during the day and I open the windows at night to let the temps drop.

I set the mat at 68-70.

 

[Ray]

I have used inexpensive low-wattage mats. They have no thermostat, but boost the root zone by about 10-15F above ambient.

 

[swamprad]

So hookerae likes it warmer? I didn’t realize that. Bought one just yesterday! My gh low is 60F. Guess I need a heating mat! Phal bellina and violacea will probably appreciate it too.

 

[Ozpaph]

non-adjustable mat for seedlings during winter. Makes me feel better. Not sure the seedling really notice. I think supplement lighting during winter is probably more helpful.

 

[southernbelle]

I have used inexpensive low-wattage mats. They have no thermostat, but boost the root zone by about 10-15F above ambient.

I also use this type, but only for the reblooming (on same stem) phals. And they are timed to turn off at night when lights go off.

 

[hkunberger]

I also use this type, but only for the reblooming (on same stem) phals. And they are timed to turn off at night when lights go off.

I also started using these last year for plants that like to stay a bit more on the warm side and for seedlings. My grow room is upstairs on the back of the house and you can get a little chilly in there in the winter even with the heat on.

 

[Skoester]

So hookerae likes it warmer? I didn’t realize that. Bought one just yesterday! My gh low is 60F. Guess I need a heating mat! Phal bellina and violacea will probably appreciate it too.

This is from Dave’s/PaphParadise’s site:
Paph hookerae is from a tropical region and is found at fairly low elevation. Temperatures are consistently warm year-round, seldom falling below 65 F. They receive over 100″ of rain annually, so the plants never dry out.

We have had great success with this species when we keep them on seedling heat mats set to 68 F. That allows us to drop the greenhouse temperatures into the 50’s and not have tp worry about chilling sensitive species like this.

And this is Dave’s note on the niveum page:This species is easy to grow as long as you don’t let it get too cold in the winter months. We have had great success with them since we moved them onto seedling heat mats set at 65-68 F. This is an easy way to keep sensitive species warm even if you allow the rest of the growing area to get much colder.

 

[Ray]

Yes, those inexpensive mats are quite nice for warmer growing plants in cooler/drier environments.

Folks who grow warmer phals in semi-hydroponics in their homes sometimes use the mats to compensate for the evaporative cooling of the open, airy medium in household air.

Heat mat use will require an increase in watering.

 

[Tom-DE]

so you sit your warm growers directly on the heating mat...do you have to remove the mat when you water your plants?

 

[hkunberger]

so you sit your warm growers directly on the heating mat...do you have to remove the mat when you water your plants?

The ones I use are waterproof but everyone gets hauled to the bathroom to be watered anyway

 

[Tom-DE]

So hookerae likes it warmer?

volonteanum(hookerae var. volonteanum) is a cooler grower, it can handle the temperature down to mid 40s. A true hookerae is a warmer grower(min. temperature ~55F).
Paph. volonteanum came from 2000m alt. and hookerae came from 800m alt.

 

[clearsky57]

i have two styles one: very durable almost rubber/sandwiched with a canvas (i think) but i keep this one under newly potted out seedlings and compots, and the plants can be watered on top of the mats.

the other is what appears to be a heavy duty plastic/rubber compound and again, the cords are treated so that you can water...

both the two styles i have are thermostatically controlled, and i can change the temps according to time of year.

 

[Ray]

so you sit your warm growers directly on the heating mat...do you have to remove the mat when you water your plants?

The ones I have used are 20” x 10” and polymer coated. I set them in a standard nursery tray with the plants in direct contact.

They say “do not submerge”, but I’ve never had an issue with them getting wet or being fully submerged. I had a seedling nursery box (3’ x 6’ x 3’ tall) in my basement that had been built on an ebb and flow tray. Three of the 10W mats sat on the bottom, submerged, covered by a sheet of EcoWeb/Epiweb. They operated nonstop for years.

 

[Tom-DE]

Thanks, I might give it a try someday.