lennyd79 Posted April 1, 2021 Share Posted April 1, 2021 Hi all, just a heads up if using a heat mat for when rooting cuttings. My usual method for taking cuttings over the years is fool proof but I've had a small heat mat that I bought a while ago sitting there. So I thought since it was so cold doing my last lot of cuttings after Xmas that I would fire! the heat mat under my cuttings. (Yes I did say fool proof doh) I had it sitting under my pots in my T5 tent and when checked after 2 weeks most of them had damping-off. I did put a plastic tray between the pots and heat mate as I thought it was maybe too hot then still thinking it was too hot I raised the tray with blocks of wood. The ones that did root have nearly all succumbed now to some form of root rot after trying to persevere with them. I have managed to save a Dinafem Critical 2.0 but have lost my Bubba Kush and a cheese. I've got some fresh beans on the go now but maybe a word of warning if people are having issues using a heat mat or are thinking of using one for cuttings. I would be interested to here people that use one successfully for cuttings, I certainly won't be again as I won't be taking the risk of heating the coco media up so much that it causes damping-off. Link to comment
Slippy One Posted April 1, 2021 Share Posted April 1, 2021 In a word, Inkbird. Just be mindful of probe placement. 6 Link to comment
Absurdist Posted April 1, 2021 Share Posted April 1, 2021 I think I have had similar issues as my success rate went from 100 % to 0 %. This is using a soil warming cable to heat a tray containing platforms covered in capillary matting. Initially I was heating the water to 30 C to get a below pot temp in the low 20s. I turned it down a bit so the water temp is 25 C but still no roots showing on the next batch. Link to comment
ratdog Posted April 1, 2021 Share Posted April 1, 2021 (edited) 26 minutes ago, lennyd79 said: I would be interested to here people that use one successfully for cuttings yeah, i do, no problem at all, just use a controller! set to 26oc Edited April 1, 2021 by ratdog 4 Link to comment
lennyd79 Posted April 1, 2021 Author Share Posted April 1, 2021 11 hours ago, Slippy One said: In a word, Inkbird. Just be mindful of probe placement. All a bit techy for me those thing's. Link to comment
ratdog Posted April 1, 2021 Share Posted April 1, 2021 (edited) 38 minutes ago, lennyd79 said: All a bit techy for me those thing's. the basic ones have a plug, a socket and up and down controls, that's it, no need to blame the heat mat, which is 50% of the tech already get a regular one, inkbirds are a bit tricky, just go basic Edited April 1, 2021 by ratdog 1 Link to comment
Slippy One Posted April 1, 2021 Share Posted April 1, 2021 During the really cold months of winter, I notice it’s nearly always on anyway, but the price of an Inkbird is about £30. Cheaper than seeds Link to comment
lennyd79 Posted April 1, 2021 Author Share Posted April 1, 2021 2 hours ago, ratdog said: the basic ones have a plug, a socket and up and down controls, that's it, no need to blame the heat mat, which is 50% of the tech already get a regular one, inkbirds are a bit tricky, just go basic Cheers might have a wee look for next winter, but I am blaming the heat mat. Link to comment
KC Posted April 2, 2021 Share Posted April 2, 2021 I bought a heated prop years ago. Only used it once, it killed everything. No thermostat see. They didn't mention anything in the destructions. 9 Link to comment
Ceiling Cat Posted April 2, 2021 Share Posted April 2, 2021 Yep, I did the same. No Inkbird when first used and the soil temps just kept going up and up. I noticed the leaves starting to bow down and droop before I figured out what was going on. With an Inkbird though........... lovely. 3 Link to comment
ratdog Posted April 2, 2021 Share Posted April 2, 2021 (edited) 10 hours ago, lennyd79 said: but I am blaming the heat mat. ok, try rooting them without one in a cold flat, you need steady temps of around 26, how else do you plan on that mate? Edited April 2, 2021 by ratdog 2 Link to comment
smokinggolden Posted April 2, 2021 Share Posted April 2, 2021 I see the options as: 1) Heat mat 2) Heat the grow cupboard with eg an oil filled radiator to 26C 3) heat whole house/room via constant central heating to 26C Once my veg space is at 24 - 26 C with just the light I remove the heat mat. But without it in the winter then I could not germ seeds or take cuttings. I do not use a thermostat, just spacers. In the winter things only seem to get too hot if I have the central heating on in that room. Link to comment
lennyd79 Posted April 2, 2021 Author Share Posted April 2, 2021 4 hours ago, ratdog said: ok, try rooting them without one in a cold flat, you need steady temps of around 26, how else do you plan on that mate? I've rooted cuttings for 20 years without a heat mat, tbh I can't be bothered explaining my different methods. The point of my post was to warn people that heat mat can cause issues. I appreciate your feedback on how I could use one correctly. 2 Link to comment
ratdog Posted April 2, 2021 Share Posted April 2, 2021 30 minutes ago, lennyd79 said: The point of my post was to warn people that heat mat can cause issues. and Quote I would be interested to here people that use one successfully for cuttings so i told you they are perfect for the job imho, i use them from cutting right through to flower, with a stat of course, i had a stat fail once during flower, ruined my plants, but i would never stop using one under my ladies, and boys if i'm making seeds like right now. 3 Link to comment
triffed Posted April 2, 2021 Share Posted April 2, 2021 Hi all, just follow Tony Montanes guide , 100% Can take cuttings up to when you want just take a little longer. I put mine under a T5 in a tupper ware box wrapped in clin filim leave for 10 days or so, give them a waft of fresh air keep your eye on them for the next week . Job done ,Roots Galore 2 Link to comment
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