Using a heat mat for clones can be extremely beneficial, as they thrive in warm temperatures. If you do not supply your clones with some warmth, they will do poorly. This is why we recommend the use of a heat mat for your clones to do well.
A heat mat will help with the rooting of your clones thereby encouraging optimal growth. Generally, the most crucial aspects for propagation cloning are temperature, humidity, and, moderate watering. If you get these 3 critical points right, you should have a successful propagation of your clones.
What is a Heat Mat?
A heat mat is an electric mat placed under a cutting tray or seed tray and it is used to supply heat to the root of your cloned plants. It will help in both clones and seed germination even in freezing weather conditions.
They usually come in solid rubber pads and most are heavy-duty mats. Therefore, you can rest assured of their durability, and can even last you for years. You can purchase quality heating pads for your clones from online stores like Amazon.
How to Use Heat Mat For Clones
Before we dive into how to use a heat mat, let us point out some things. The first step to achieving a productive result when it comes to heating your clones is to choose the appropriate type of plant to clone. We have listed some points to consider when selecting plants to clone.
Points to consider when choosing plant clones
Below are the points to consider when choosing plants to clone for propagation:
- Get a clone by cutting some part of the plant you wish to clone. Usually, clones are cut at their vegetative stage of growth.
- Cut a moderate size and ensure the cut part isn’t too big so it can fit perfectly in the tray and dome.
- Try to avoid plants that are bending for light because they can hinder the availability of space in the tray. We suggest you go for an upright or vertical plant.
Learn How to Make Clones Root Grow Faster
Steps on how to use a heat mat
Follow these steps to learn how to use a heat mat for clones:
1. First, place your heat mat on a flat surface.
2. Place your propagation clone tray directly on top of the heat mat.
3. Prepare your clones by dipping them into a rooting hormone of your choice.
4. Now place your plants in the growth medium of your choice and seat them firmly. Now put the dome on top to cover the tray so humidity can be retained.
5. After you have completed your setup, proceed to plug in the heat mat and turn it on. The heat mat will supply heat directly to the roots of your plants. Maintain the temperature within 10 to 24 degrees Celsius. A standard heat mat for clones usually has a control or temperature regulator and adaptor. This way, you can regulate the temperature that your plant requires without worrying about overheating. However, if you are having issues with the heat mat producing too much heat, you can simply put a towel between the mat and the base of the tray. This will aid in even heat distribution.
6. Make sure you monitor your setup every day. If possible check it twice a day.
7. Always mist your plants so you have the right humidity to keep them from drying out. Remember humidity is another part of the criteria for successful clone propagation.
8. You can remove the tray from the heat mats when you notice the roots shooting out and touching the tray.
9. Your propagated plants should be ready within a week to 2, depending on the plant type.
Temperature For Clones
The success of clones is very dependent on environmental conditions. Clones require very different conditions from other indoor plants. Temperature is absolutely critical for clones and should be maintained at the right range to have successful propagation.
Clones prefer temperatures in the range between 75 and 85 degrees F, with 78 degrees F being ideal. A heat mat is an excellent tool to use to consistently maintain this temperature.
To have the best control of temperature for your clones, use a thermostat that is connected to the heat mat to select the desired temperatures.
Keeping the temperatures in the ideal range for your clones will discourage the growth of bacteria and pathogens, which will result in higher success rates.
If temperatures are too low, less favorable environmental conditions for your clones are created. This will result in consequences such as prolonged rooting times, which is not ideal.
On top of providing your clones will the ideal temperature, mist them frequently and keep the airflow moving. This will help keep humidity close to 100%. Clones root best in these conditions.
Do Seedling Heat Mats Work?
While most seeds sprout fine in average indoor household conditions, a seedling heat mat can help improve this process in certain ways.
Seedling heat mats are a great way to help start seeds indoors, as they help seeds sprout faster. Although they are referred to as seedling heat mats, they are usually just needed for seed germination and not really for the seedling growth stage of plants.
Seedling heat mats are usually made of a waterproof plastic mat. Once plugged in, the mat generates a moderate, subtle but constant heat which raises the
Because some seedlings may germinate un-uniformly over some time, on a heat mat, the germination is a lot more even. Most seeds are woken from dormancy after about 10 days, this contributes to the more even germination.
Though some people have reported trivial differences in seed germination with the use of heat mats, it depends on the seeds you are germinating and really what your view of a small or big difference is.
Other people have even claimed that the use of heat mats produces stronger seedlings, there is however no evidence of this.
Recommended Heating Mats For Clones
Below are some recommended seedling pads for cloning:
Vivosun’s durable heat mat is great for supplying heat for both seed and clone propagation. It is long-lasting and flexible and it will provide the right temperature to your plants without burning them. Vivosun is waterproof so no worries about any water mess.
BN-LINK is another brand of heating mat you can use to provide heat for both seed and clone. The heat it provides is evenly distributed so be assured of an equal supply of heat to all your plants. It is also water-resistant.
This brand of Vivosun heat mat is a digital thermostat combo and it’s a great option for heating your clone.
Heating Pad For Plants DIY
Commercial heating pads can be quite pricey, so why not make your own at home using available lights? Rope lights come in many different lengths and colors, that you can use and customize to fit your specific needs. The best lights for a DIY heating pad are incandescent lights, not LEDs. This is because LEDs do not produce sufficient heat.
When making your heating pads, keep the following in mind:
- for seeds to germinate, they need air, water, and warmth
- heat mats should be thick and waterproof
Materials needed
- Plywood
- Two 1″ x 2″ x 8-foot wood furring strips
- Wood screws
- Plastic cable clamps
- Hand saw or jigsaw
- Tape measure and/or square
- Pencil
- Sandpaper
- Incandescent rope light
Steps for making a DIY heating pad
- Cut the two 1″ x 2″ x 8′ furring strips to get four 40″ long pieces.
- Sand any rough edges or surfaces of the furring strips.
- Using the wood screws to attach the 4 furring strips to the piece of plywood.
- Get your rope light and straighten it out.
- Place the closed end of the rope light at the bottom right-hand corner of the plywood. Wrap the rope light around the 5 spaces between the furring strips, and leave the outside two as edges.
- Use the plastic cable clamps and screws to attach the rope light to the plank.
- Now it’s time to plug in your heating pad, and you are ready to go!
Conclusion – Heat Mat For Clones
There you have it, the 411 on heat mat for clones. Heat mats work really well for both clones and seedlings if used well. One of the best uses for heat mats is getting seedlings started when the outside temperatures are not quite right. This will allow you to enjoy certain plants all year round without having to wait for the season to be right.
If you choose to purchase a heat mat, can select from a wide range of options including the ones given here. You also have the option of making one yourself if you feel crafty or cannot afford commercial ones.
We hope you find the information in this article helpful.
Happy gardening!
FAQs
Why should I use a heat pad to keep clones warm?
You use a heater to keep them warm. A simple heater will be sufficient to get the job done. The one I have is a bit more complicated as it has a timer, but it works just fine for keeping an entire row of clones warm. I used the "Clone Heater" from CloneTech. It is a small heater that sits on top of a clone and provides heat to the bottom of the clone.
If you are keeping your clones in a room with a lot of humidity you can use a humidifier. Alternatively, if you are keeping them in a climate controlled room you may want to consider keeping them on a heat pad. This will keep the clones from drying out and allow you to move them around without getting them wet.
How do you keep your seedlings warm using a seedling heating mat?
The most common way of keeping seedlings warm is by placing the mat under a heat lamp. This will keep the seedlings warm and allow them to be potted on a warm day. You can also use a heating mat as an insulator for your seedlings.
If you are growing seedlings in containers, it is important to make sure the containers are filled with enough water so they do not dry out. A seedling heating mat provides a safe and effective way to warm seedlings and keep them hydrated at the same time. The mat is made from rubberized material that will not harm your seedlings. It is also easy to clean. You can place your seedlings on the heating mat to provide warmth and moisture. Seedlings are particularly susceptible to cold when they are first starting to grow. When the seedlings are small, it is important to protect them from the elements. The seedling heating mat is a safe and effective way to do this. You can also use a heating mat as an insulator for your seedlings. There are many different types of seedling mats available on the market.
What are the benefits of using a heating mat?
Seedlings need to be kept warm in order to grow properly. A seedling heating mat is a convenient way to keep your seedlings warm at all times, as well as providing some insulation against drafts and pests. You can use a heating mat to protect seedlings from the cold, heat, or both. A seedling heating mat works by transferring heat from the heater to the seedlings.
Eunice is an enthusiastic gardener with a passion for growing beautiful flowers. She loves nothing more than spending time in her garden, tending to her plants and enjoying the outdoors. Eunice has been gardening for over 15 years and has developed a unique style of landscaping that is both practical and aesthetically pleasing. She is especially fond of growing roses and enjoys experimenting with different varieties and colors. Eunice takes great pride in her garden and often shares the fruits of her labor with friends and family. In her spare time, she enjoys reading gardening magazines and attending local horticulture events. Eunice is passionate about her hobby and is always eager to share her knowledge and experience with others.
