Yes you leave it on 24 hours a day but only during seed germination.
How to make a heat mat for seed germination.
Plug in the heat mat and set the thermostat to the desired temperature range.
Heat mats help in the germination process therefore they also called germination heat mats.
When you are late with starting vegetable seeds indoors shave a few days off the planting schedule with the aid of the seedling heat mat.
The germination mat helps keep an even germination temperature between 65 80 f.
Once your seeds sprout and start to pop out of your rapid rooters or soil you should remove the heat mat.
80 82 bottom temperature gap between heat mat and seed trays.
Some seeds require total darkness for germination.
Our seedling sprouting area is near our windows and since we start our spring garden seedlings in january it can get pretty cold for them.
Most seeds require heat to germinate particularly warm weather annuals such as garden tomatoes solanum lycopersicum and petunias petunia x hybrida which only germinate in temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees fahrenheit.
This can make a significant difference in the expected harvest in your vegetable garden.
Check the flats every day to make sure the heat is held at a steady temperature and the soil has.
To control heating times use a thermostat or timer.
The purpose of their use is to make the soil temperature ideal for propagating.
73 75 degrees f soil temperature.
Even after the seeds have sprouted little seedlings often need additional heat when you start them early in the year.
Commercial heat mat surface temperature thermometer placed on top of soil.
Diy light heat mat surface temperature.
Place the seed flat on top of the mat evenly distributing the heat source across the bottom of the flat.
With a heat mat we can ensure quick and reliable sprouting for our vegetables.
Why seed mats are important for germination.
Do i leave the heat mat on 24 7.