Seed Germination Set-up

[joe_OC]

Reading about “hot boxes” for seed germination, I thought I would give it a try.   I used to breed discus fish and had some styrofoam boxes lying around.  Since it is the beginning of winter, I decided to use an aquarium heater to create the warmth.  There is about two inches of water in the box to ensure the heater is submerged.  I have the temp set at 86.  

Because the humidity level is so high, I am using pure perlite as the growing media.  I was originally using sphagnum moss, but it was retaining too much water.  Here is a couple of pics of my set up:

 

 

Will  this create the right environment to germinate seeds?  Please feel free to provide input.  Always looking to learn and my ego/feelings will not get hurt. 

 

[John in Andalucia]

My only concern would be continuing seedling growth in there, and damping-off issues. If it's only for sprouting, then I don't see a problem. You could just as well surface sow your seeds with that level of humidity, thus avoiding the need to mist them at regular intervals; you can easily see your seeds sprouting this way without having to disturb them, which is a bonus. I say go for it!

[joe_OC]

5 minutes ago, John in Andalucia said:

My only concern would be continuing seedling growth in there, and damping-off issues. If it's only for sprouting, then I don't see a problem. You could just as well surface sow your seeds with that level of humidity, thus avoiding the need to mist them at regular intervals; you can easily see your seeds sprouting this way without having to disturb them, which is a bonus. I say go for it!

Thanks, John...Just for germinating.  I will transfer to sunroom if/when they germinate.

[NatureGirl]

I bought a cheap ‘Hydro Farm’ heat mat for about $30 and I’ve probably had it for close to 10 yrs. works great in winter for germination. Temp stays 10-20 degrees warmer than room temp. I set it up on a card table every year. I find temp hovers around 90F. Just plug it in, no thermostat to bother with.

[joe_OC]

I have a heat mat too.  It loses so much heat though.  The heater barely goes on once it hits it’s temp.  Will be using that once I take them out of the hot box.

 

[FishEyeAquaculture]

Being very familiar with those heaters, there is a lot that can go wrong with that set up. For example, 2” of water is way too shallow, if the heater becomes exposed or is too close to the styro, it will melt the styro and either drain the water resulting in a fire, or just burn what is above it.  On older heaters, the silicone that keeps the heating elements from being submerged in water crack and fail (especially when not in use for a period of time) this always results with electricity being mixed with water (titanium grounding probes are always reccommended when using these in aquaria for that reason). 

I would suggest just using a heating pad/mat under the shipping styro with a terry cloth towel between the two. 

[FishEyeAquaculture]

....or place that set up out in the sun during the day, keeping the lid on, and bring inside during the eveing. 

....or tape 72hr heat packs to the lid, switching them out every three days (but you’d need to find a cheap source of quality heat packs in bulk, we pay around $0.75/unit). A single heat pack will keep any water in that styro between 78-82F. Same method used for shipping tropical fish to the coldest parts of the world during winter  

 

[BS Man about Palms]

He may have changed, but years ago Kevin Weaver showed me where he had just taken those styrofoam boxes and notched them to put in a 40 watt light bulb. He said it made just enough heat with the styrofoam box to retain and keep it 85-100F. I know he has had great success growing many seeds.

 

 

[joe_OC]

2 hours ago, FishEyeAquaculture said:

Being very familiar with those heaters, there is a lot that can go wrong with that set up. For example, 2” of water is way too shallow, if the heater becomes exposed or is too close to the styro, it will melt the styro and either drain the water resulting in a fire, or just burn what is above it.  On older heaters, the silicone that keeps the heating elements from being submerged in water crack and fail (especially when not in use for a period of time) this always results with electricity being mixed with water (titanium grounding probes are always reccommended when using these in aquaria for that reason). 

I would suggest just using a heating pad/mat under the shipping styro with a terry cloth towel between the two. 

It's completely sealed.  I don't have much if any evaporation.  Water collects on top of the lid and drips back into the bottom.  I've been monitoring it and not too concerned about heater out of water.  If you are familiar with the heater, you would know that it is titanium and only 1/2" in diameter.  There would be a serious leak for heater to be out of water. 

Edited November 25, 2018 by joe_OC

[joe_OC]

1 hour ago, BS Man about Palms said:

He may have changed, but years ago Kevin Weaver showed me where he had just taken those styrofoam boxes and notched them to put in a 40 watt light bulb. He said it made just enough heat with the styrofoam box to retain and keep it 85-100F. I know he has had great success growing many seeds.

 

 

That was another option but since I had the heater, I went this route.  I like how I have a thermostat to keep temp consistent.

[LJG]

Think it depends what seed we are talking about. Probably overkill for some seed. 

[joe_OC]

3 minutes ago, LJG said:

Think it depends what seed we are talking about. Probably overkill for some seed. 

I agree.  But since the weather barely gets past 75 degrees, I figure I would just speed up the process.  I've done the baggy style, but during the summer and had success with that method.  

[Sabal Steve]

For me, the lightbulb in the styrofoam box didn't work.  Bulb got too hot, and melted the styrofoam.  

Edited November 26, 2018 by The Steve

[LJG]

39 minutes ago, joe_OC said:

I agree.  But since the weather barely gets past 75 degrees, I figure I would just speed up the process.  I've done the baggy style, but during the summer and had success with that method.  

What seed is it?

[joe_OC]

Hybrid pembana & dypsis sp "black stem"

[Matt in OC]

Baggie method. 

[JubaeaMan138]

I do mine baggie method in a husky styrofoam cooler the biggest one they have and I gutted a chicken egg incubator and put all the pets in to the cooler and I can maintain pretty constant temp up or down  from about 75 to 95 degrees anywhere between there 

[JubaeaMan138]

Actually use to use it for incubating reptile eggs . 

[joe_OC]

13 minutes ago, JubaeaMan138 said:

I do mine baggie method in a husky styrofoam cooler the biggest one they have and I gutted a chicken egg incubator and put all the pets in to the cooler and I can maintain pretty constant temp up or down  from about 75 to 95 degrees anywhere between there 

Pretty much a heater with a thermostat 

[JubaeaMan138]

Yes exactly little indicator light. Takes a hour or so to set up turn the heat up till the light comes on let it set check temp and increase accordingly till it holds and leave it .