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Making a hotbed

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roiphil:
Ok got my base 3 ft x 4 ft approx and frame about 2 foot high and enclosed the frame in bubble wrap, for the base i put in 1 inch deep gravel with 1 inch deep sand on top of gravel, then i lay my soil warming cable and cover with 2 inches sand, technical question, i am using a thermostat that has a heat sensor cable of about 3 foot long with the sensor on the end do i put this in the sand with the soil warming cable or do i hang it inside hot bed enclosure, do i want the thermostat to control sand temp or air temp, i have also installed 2 water misters which i can have come on, on a timer, and what would be a general good temperature to aim for in the hotbed for cuttings and seeds

Phil

ideasguy:
RE:
--- Quote ---do i want the thermostat to control sand temp or air temp
--- End quote ---
You should put the sensor into the sand, Phil.

As I recall, you should keep the sand moist, but not like a swamp of course.
The soil heater then warms the moist sand and creates a better environment.
Comment from others, particularly in relation to temperature, would be appreciated.
I imagine it depends entirely on what you are intending to put in the frame.

roiphil:
think you could be right their george, the hotbed will be for cuttings hence the misting system on timer to mist on the hour for so many minutes, will also use it for seeds, i know you have to keep sand moist, on a normal hotbed thermostat has a rod that you bury in the sand so my one should work on the same principle, (to tight to buy a proper one so i am using one that i have left over from when i kept lizards years ago) waste not want not it still controls temperature, even used it on a home made chicken incubator to make the heating come on and off when needed  ;)

could do with some advise on a temperature to aim for

Phil

newplantguy:
I have used heated mist beds for many years. :)
Propagation has always been an interest of mine and was a big part of my job for many years.
The sensor cable goes in the sand, you can also put it into the trays you stand on the heated bed if you are using it this way.
The sand needs to be kept moist.
The temperature to aim for is around 21 centigrade in the sand or say 15  to 18 centigrade in the trays if you are using these on the bed.
You can use lower temperatures to save energy 18 centigrade in the sand gives around 12 to 15 in the trays
If you need lower temperature then you can adjust as required on the thermostat. 
I also cover bed with polythene instead of using mist. You need shading though or white polythene in summer.
I have also used mist and polythene combinded.
Paul.

roiphil:
thanks for that paul will take a piccy later, thinking i will put the sensor in the sand even though cutting and seeds will be in trays

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