Heating Mats for indoor use - Orchid Board

cbuchman · #1 10-03-2012, 10:03 AM

I have a wonderful sun room for my orchids when they're not outside in the summer (I'll post pictures when I get everything inside). It is attached to the house and runs off the forced hot air heat in the house. I have a fountain to help with humidify. The temp in the winter ranges from a low of 55 F at night to 68 F high during a sunny day.

I have a few orchids that need slightly higher temps and a few experiments in S/H and so I am looking to purchase a seedling heating mat(s). I have a couple of small table top greenhouses and planed to put the mat under at least one of them to contain the humidity. I was thinking of using a simple electrical timer to turn on and off (I'll need to see how much/little it needs to be on) or do I need to but a temp controller for an additional $25

Any suggestion on the mat or set up? I've found several seedling mats on Amazon for $20- $60 depending on size. All recommendations or suggestions gratefully appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

silken · #2 10-03-2012, 10:39 AM

Your setup sounds similar to mine in that it is attached to the house and heated with a forced air furnace! Temps are very similar too!

I don't know how the temp. controller would work, but I have several seedling heat mats for some of my more tender orchids such as the Phal type dens. In the winter I just leave them on night and day-they say they don't use much power. That way they are protected around the clock as I find 65 to 68F for mine is a little cool even in the day. They seemed to thrive. One thing, with warmth and humidity, you should make sure you have some air movement. I also put my Tolumnia on there and some young more warmth loving cattleyas. the Tolumnia bloomed and the catts grew wonderful roots.

I put them on two shelves with 2 ft T5's hung from the shelf above. Then I wrapped that thin silver heat blanket stuff (Mylar?) around the shelf so it contained the warmth and reflected light really well. I left the front open for access and air. Hope that helps.

Findish · #3 10-03-2012, 10:48 AM

Hi Carrie-
I bought a windowsill mat (3.5" x 20") for $19 at local garden store and a seedling mat (10x20) for $23 at hydroponic store. Today I noticed the reptile mat (6x8) under my girl's gecko. Will check the pet store for prices. Hmm.... maybe the hardware store plumbing aisle for heat tape? This is my first winter growing Phals. Would love to see photos of your setup.
-Jeanette

cbuchman · #4 10-03-2012, 11:03 AM

Thanks Silken and Jeanette! Silken to answer your question, I have two oscillating fans that provide a gentle air movement during the day - they run on timers from about 8 AM to 6 PM. The GH is open to the house all the time as it is the access to the garage.

Sounds like a mat or other heating open such as heat tape is in my immediate future

. I like the Mylar idea for light and heat reflection too. I was thinking of using the mat on a small shelf I have (11 x 30 in) and a second mat for the Phals in the lower light district.

In the winder months, I rely on sunshine for light and it seems to be adequate.

Once I move everyting indoors, I will post photos. I am currently waiting for the GH repariman to reaplce a couple of windows that lost that double pane seal and are growing disgusting stuff between the panes of glass. We put the GH in about 15 years ago, so I'm not concerned about the glass replacement - it's due.

silken · #5 10-03-2012, 11:08 AM

We have had our greenhouse for over 20 years but around 6 years ago had to sort of re-build the entire roof and windows (big $$). Oh well, I have made good use of it since. It was always functional but not pretty. So in the last year we have been 'beautifying it" which is still an on-going project. We've been tiling some walls and window ledges which is where most of my orchids will eventually be. It's more a sun room and not one I can fill with benches of orchids from wall to wall. Just as well I think as my pocket book couldn't stand it!

cbuchman · #6 10-03-2012, 02:15 PM

Silken, I know what you mean about the $$$ (Canadian or US!). Just replaceing these 4 windows is expensive. I have a very clever husband who has built benches for me that have pipes underneath to empty directly into a drain in the tile floor which goes out to a dry well. He designed and build the benches to keep about 1/4 inches of water in the trays underneath for humidity - clever man! I think I'll keep him

Glass repair will be Friday AM, so I should bring everybody inside over the weekend - good thing since it is dropping to near freezing at night early next week according to the forecast.

So I need to get busy with my heating mats too

orchidsarefun · #7 10-03-2012, 02:17 PM

I bought 2 from Amazon. Both are used for warmth-loving phals/seedlings. You need to research which phals/other orchids like higher temps ( for example some of the species phals are picky in this regard ).
They work well on racks - you get the benefit of the heat upwards -for the plants on the mat and downwards for those on the rack below. I don't stand the pots directly on the mats. I use egg crate as the top layer. Another thing - the pots dry out quicker so that is something you should be aware of.