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Plastic Dome
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Posted by esox07 4a Wisconsin (My Page) on Fri, Feb 3, 12 at 16:36
| I have had my seeds sown for three days now. I have them in trays with 18 - 3" starter pots and it has a clear dome lid which I leave on to keep the soil from drying out and to hold in the heat from the heat mat underneath. I have had the dome on since I planted the seeds but decided to take them off today to let the soil breath a little (it isn't nearly airtight any way). I am wondering when I should remove them for good or if I should just leave them off altogether. Any suggestions???
Bruce
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Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Plastic Dome
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| Hi Bruce, I leave my domes on until the first few sprouts appear. I find they help retain/maintain heat better (your mats won't be cycling on/off as often and, they help reduce the frequency of watering. It appears that you set your thermostat probe to measure temp in the upper left hand cell. If so, what temp do you have the thermostat set to? Bill |
RE: Plastic Dome
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- Posted by esox07 4a Wisconsin (My Page) on
Fri, Feb 3, 12 at 18:34
Ottawa: I have it set in the top row of the bottom tray 2nd cell from the left. I wanted it in an interior cell so it would be more accurate for the whole setup. I figured an exterior cell would read a little cool. I have it set for 83 degrees and it seems to stay between 80 and 84. I think I will leave the domes off for a few more hours and then put them back on. The soil is still moist.
Bruce |
RE: Plastic Dome
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| Got it. The mats definitely put our more heat at the center. Moving the sensor to the right of the 3rd cell at the top of the second tray would give you 83 there with I'm guessing 73 - 75 at the outermost cells. Of course, I'm making assumptions based on my experience with uninsulated single tray mats. Your mileage may vary with double mats. FWIW, Bill |
RE: Plastic Dome
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- Posted by esox07 4a Wisconsin (My Page) on
Fri, Feb 3, 12 at 20:38
I rotated the trays and installed the refrigerator dual temp thermometer. One near the middle and one in an outside cell. That will show me the variation a little better. I have another heat mat and may put each tray down the center of separate heat mats. I would have to arrange them that way after they sprout anyway in order to accommodate my shop lights. Thanks for the advice.
Bruce |
RE: Plastic Dome
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| Bruce - Not a bad setup over there in WI!! I keep domes on while germinating on heat mats. I remove the lid and shake off excess condensation and let the flat breath for a few minutes each night when putzing in grow room. Soil thermostat is 81 degrees and the air thermostat I have hanging under the dome reads 85-86 degrees. Dome keeps it nice and warm and humid. I plant each variety of seed in its own starter cup (small plastic 3oz condiment cup); when a cup sprouts & up an inch or so it goes to a non-domed flat/under light (other seeds in cup will continue sprouting there); As true leafs appear I prick plants out & plant into individual cups..... With using small starter cups I can start 30 varieties in one tray and each cup has multiple seeds. I like that I can remove the germinated cups off the heat and give others more time and that I can then put newly sown cups onto heat mat and continue the out-of-control pepper seed sowing cycle I get caught-up in each year. About end of March I start up my harbor freight greenhouses heater and move plants out to it. Then the tomato plants start..... By May a total jungle.... Been doing pepper seeds this way for 10+ years now. Sandy |
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