Bottom Heat-- how important?

[Pilot]

Hello--

I recently transferred my phals to hydroton medium as I've used this stuff before with other plants and it has worked well for me. I do have a semi-hydroponic set up for these phals as some suffered from rot in their NEW bark medium. I'm still willing to try bark but that is for another time.

Anyway, I know that in cases of cuttings of other plants-- such as hardwood trees (IE crabapples)-- the use of bottom heat spurs root growth and you get healthier rooted cuttings faster and in the end healthier. So...

I got a hydrofarm heat mat and placed it under my phals that are in their water reservoir in an effort to help stimulate new growth. My question is how important is bottom heat really to phals? Is my attempt at applying heat to the roots even fruitful considering the cooling nature of evaporation?

Thanks

[Ray]

I never used bottom heat until recently, and I can verify that it helps a great deal, but is probably needed only for getting plants established or for warmth-loving plants in cool environments.

Don't confuse heat-driven evaporation with that caused by low-humidity - in the former, the heat is still in the system. In the latter, it's taken out.

[herfy]

I want to get one of those pads when i transfer over to S/h...do you need a thermostat or just leave it plugged in all the time..?

[Pilot]

Originally Posted by Ray

I never used bottom heat until recently, and I can verify that it helps a great deal, but is probably needed only for getting plants established or for warmth-loving plants in cool environments.

Don't confuse heat-driven evaporation with that caused by low-humidity - in the former, the heat is still in the system. In the latter, it's taken out.

Thanks Ray---

I know it can be very important in rooting cuttings so I figured it might be quite helpful in this instance, too, but wasn't sure. I'm not confusing evap due to heat versus dry air-- but in this case, I now have both since my humidifier is broken. In the process of replacing it now.

[Pilot]

Originally Posted by herf

I want to get one of those pads when i transfer over to S/h...do you need a thermostat or just leave it plugged in all the time..?

herf there are several kinds but the one I have, by hydrofarm, is one you simply plug in. If you only want a little heat, simply place it under your plants. If you want o maximize the heat, insulate the pad by placing it on a towel or something similar. I don't insulate the pots of my plants-- but perhaps I should to maximize the warmth.

[Bob2741]

The main thing I find with the bottem heat is you need to watch the water in the pot a little closer the heat will evorapate it quicker. I don't leave plants on it much more than 4 weeks by then they seem to have established enough to go it alone.

I do use thermostats on my heatmats as a just in case thing I place the probe in a pot with PA about 2" off the bottem and fill it with water just like I'm growing an orchid and the probe it the plant. Ive had a couple heat mats thermostats go nuts and really get hot.

[Ray]

Bob is the guy who "turned me on" to heat mats, and he's right about watching the liquid level.

The heat mats I use (and carry) are the Hydrofarm single-tray size, 17 watt ones. They boost the temp by 10°F-20°F, depending upon your growing area factors. I find that there is no need for a thermostat.