Hydrofarm CK64050 Germination Station with Heat Mat
Grow healthier starts quickly and easily with total control over heat and humidity with this germination station from Hydrofarm. Much like a greenhouse a miniature greenhouse, this heated germination station seed starting system offers increased growing success by providing gentle warmth to the planting bed and by controlling the humidity under the dome. The purchase includes a 17 watt, UL listed, waterproof heat mat and an 11- by 22-inch watertight growing tray with 72-cell seedling insert and instructions.
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars All I needed to start my plants off!
For years I have wanted to save money and start plants from seed.
I couldn’t figure out what I was doing wrong! Turns out the heat
mat is what I needed. Now I have vigorous young seedlings ready
to go outside, and I guess I saved over $200 over buying annuals
from the nursery!
2 Stars Too pricey for what you get
This item is essentially a plastic base and clear top (very flimsy) with a heating pad that the base sits on. It’s adequate for starting plants from seed, but my main complaint is that for what you get, it’s way too expensive. I believe a fair price for this item would be around $20, NOT $40. If you do decide to purchase a germination station like this one, buy the one with the taller top - it doesn’t take long before the new plants start running into the 2″ tall lid.
4 Stars quick germination!
While I’ve started seeds indoors before, this was my first year with something like the germination station, and I must say so far I’m impressed. Within three days, my sunflower seeds were starting, and within 5-7 days multiple varieties of tomatoes were poking their heads out.
4 Stars Heat mat is great!
My tomato and eggplant seeds germinated in under a week - days earlier than anticipated. I wish the plastic dome was taller to allow them to grow higher in the “mini greenhouse” atmosphere, but overall I think it’s a good product and if you are using rock wool and all that it’s probably perfect. I used “peat alternative” pellets and monitored moisture carefully - so far so good. An integrated thermostat would be nice, but for the price I am satisfied.
5 Stars Hydrofarm CK64050 Germination Station with Heat Mat
I bought this kit because of the price was about $40 and there was no shipping charge. Now I am just using the heat mat and tray to coax fig cuttings to root. Late winter I will reinsert the planting cell tray and the clear lid to germinate other small cuttings and garden vegetables. The station and mat are standard size and weight. The mat provides good even heat and seems tough enough to last a long time.
