Citrus Growers Forum

Ray from Pa · Posted: Fri 14 Aug, 2009 12:59 am

Hi all, I want to grow my Meyer lemon tree throughout the winter, so I'm going to invest in a heating mat. All I need is a 10x10, does anyone know of a reputable website where I can pick one up cheap?

Also, I have my tree in a clay pot sitting in a tray of 1/2" deep gravel. Will the heating mat be effective through the gravel tray?

DaveF · Posted: Tue 29 Sep, 2009 1:51 pm

Did you have any luck finding a good heating pad?

Thanks,

Dave

Ray from Pa · Posted: Tue 29 Sep, 2009 4:26 pm

Yes, I actually ordered a new one from ebay. Thanks for asking.

fofoca · Posted: Tue 29 Sep, 2009 11:23 pm

Can I ask how much these things cost? I have been using a home heating pad (which is fine for cuttings) because I think the last time I researched it the ones designed for gardening were fairly expensive.

Ray from Pa · Posted: Wed 30 Sep, 2009 2:28 am

For a brand new 9" x 19" mat it was 15 dollars plus 10 dollars shipping, which I thought was pretty reasonable. The shipping seemed a little high but it was securely packed and sent via ups with delivery confirmation so it was worth it.

Anyway, I figure one 9" x 19" mat will heat two 10-14 inch pots, but if you have more than two trees or large pots you will probably need to upgrade. The 20" x 20" I think was 25 dollars plus 10 shipping and you could probably get 4 pots on it.

thach1130 · Joined: 26 Feb 2009 Posts: 23 Location: Annandale, VA

For a large heating area i used this method. I took a 22Gallons plastic container and filled it with water. Then dropped in a 100W Fish tank heater. Put a lid on it and put a large plywood sheet on top. The plywood board should disperse the temperature well.

fofoca · Posted: Wed 30 Sep, 2009 3:24 pm

Thanks, guys, those are pretty economical approaches. Maybe I'll have to upgrade my setup one of these days.

DaveF · Posted: Wed 30 Sep, 2009 8:15 pm

thach1130 wrote:

For a large heating area i used this method. I took a 22Gallons plastic container and filled it with water. Then dropped in a 100W Fish tank heater. Put a lid on it and put a large plywood sheet on top. The plywood board should disperse the temperature well.

that's a pretty cool idea. You could even cut holes in the plywood and let the bottom of the pots hang down inside the container and above the water.

Leave enough space and then when you water the plants the excess could run out into the tank so you'd just have to drain it once in a while.

brian · Posted: Wed 30 Sep, 2009 10:27 pm

What kind of 22gal container? Where'd you get it? I've been trying to think of some sort of watertight container that can hold gallons, that isn't more than a few inches tall, to catch excess water when watering. Something like the trays on the bottom of large bird/reptile cages that can slide and out. Has to be cheap, though.

DaveF · Posted: Wed 30 Sep, 2009 10:31 pm

brian wrote:

What kind of 22gal container? Where'd you get it? I've been trying to think of some sort of watertight container that can hold gallons, that isn't more than a few inches tall, to catch excess water when watering. Something like the trays on the bottom of large bird/reptile cages that can slide and out. Has to be cheap, though.

Years ago I had a cheap rubbermaid container from walmart. It was about six inches high two feet wide and three feet long. It was sold as an under the bed clothing storage bin.

thach1130 · Joined: 26 Feb 2009 Posts: 23 Location: Annandale, VA

Yeah that's what i used. Rubbermaid container used for storage. Got mine at Home Depot. Pretty thick so it shouldn't be easy to break and plastic so it won't rot.

brian · Posted: Thu 01 Oct, 2009 9:00 pm

Yeah I found exactly why you're describing at walmart... 66qt container with wheels, designed for rolling under beds. Thanks