When Should I Turn Off My Seedling Heating Mat?

Last Updated on October 8, 2022 by Real Men Sow

It is crucial to use a seedling heating mat when starting your growth this time of the year. Many challenges will present as the weather changes. Colder weather can reduce plant enzyme activity and slow down growth. It can be difficult to germinate seeds for your tent. It is necessary to know where and how long to use your heat mat to improve the success of your seed-starting.

The Setup

You must find an area with sufficient insulation before you sow your seeds in the plant or seed tray. The germination process will be impeded if your seed-starting setup is placed in cold areas with minimal insulation. These rooms can hinder your seedling heating mat’s output despite their ability to warm up to 20deg. Your seedling boxes will germinate best if it is placed in an insulated area.

How Long Do I Leave My Heating Mat On?

After you have sown your seeds, place the plant tray on your seedling heating mat. Keep it on for 24 hours per day. This process does not require any on/off switching. To ensure that your seeds continue to grow, they must be heated regularly. Small sprouts will appear from the soil and then leaves will begin to form. These are signs of successful germination. At this point, you can remove the tray from the seedling heating mat.

The heating output of your seedling mat is controlled, providing consistent heat at up to 86 degrees. Overheating your seed tray after seeds have germinated will cause many problems. These problems may vary from the following:

  • Your seedlings can become weak and lanky if they are left on top of the seedling heating mat
  • The soil around them will also dry up. 

However, even if there are no sprouts in every pocket, germination can still be successful.

Real Men Sow
Real Men Sow

Hello, I’m Pete and I’m currently based in the west of Scotland, in a small place called Rosneath, where I’m exploring my garden adventures. I personally started gardening around 6 years ago and initially, I started out by growing my favorite fruits and berries, such as strawberries, Raspberries & Gooseberries. Since then I’ve added a lot of vegetables and working closely with my neighbor, it’s been a lot of fun.