Cold weather solution

[CowboyBud]

Could a heated seedling propagation mat be used to keep plants warm during the off cycle during flowering? It would obviously keep the root structure at a good temperature. In turn, I believe it would keep the plant alive even during the coldest times during the winter here in the Rocky Mountains (unheated barn.) Any thoughts on whether this might work? Thanks.

Are you NORML?

 

[chitrette]

I am not 100% sure on this I live in a similar climate (Northern Maine) and I know that in my old barn I built a box out of foam insulation panels, I then put an exhaust on the back of it, and on the ceiling I put another duct, I then built another much smaller box ontop of this one, it was made out of the same material I then mounted a red heat lamp above the duct in the ceiling, not much if any light came all the way through but it kept my temp stable enough for the plants to stay alive while they slept.

If I still had it I would take pics if you dont understand what I am saying I guess I could draw it up in Paint.

 

[chitrette]

I drew this up it is pretty much what I had settup, although on second thought I would put the 2nd box underneath the first one, and let the warm air rise on its own instead of having to have fan #2 this would also make it so that you have less light (although I had very little) inside the grow box...

 

[CowboyBud]

I drew this up it is pretty much what I had settup, although on second thought I would put the 2nd box underneath the first one, and let the warm air rise on its own instead of having to have fan #2 this would also make it so that you have less light (although I had very little) inside the grow box...

Thanks for the input. I agree, it would be more effecient with the heat lamp on the bottom. So, how did it work? Were you able to harvest a crop?

Are you NORML?

 

[chitrette]

It worked well, I was able to harvest both plants my first year growing in it and all 4 the next, I wish I would have built it a little bigger so that I could have had more plants in it. Alas no barn anymore so no need for a overcomplicated heating box.

But if you break it down...

Foam- maybe 15 bucks for enough to make the box

Heat light-20 at local Lowes or HD

Ductwork/mini fans- I had stuff laying around but its cheap

You are looking at no more than 45 bucks to finish the box itself, that isnt really bad considering it will keep your ladies nice and warm.