Question

Main grow room   My house is unheated, and many of my plants slow down for the winter. For the plants that do not wish to reach the 60 or below, I am running out of ideas to keep them heated. I had the plants in a tank (for humidity) with a heater in the water and the plants suspended above, but the constant topping off is too much work to maintain. does a heat pad work under an aquarium like that? i know the lights are heating the plants in the day, but what can i do at night?
Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Answer
Hi J,

A heating pad will work quite well, and they do make all sorts of under tank heaters for reptiles and other small animals.  You need one that has variable temperature control.  Here's a great one for horticultural use:  http://www.greenhousemegastore.com/product/seedling-propagation-mat/seed-startin  You would want the temperature control unit also.

Is there any way you can isolate the grow area and use a space heater?  You wouldn't need one to be set very high to heat a small area.  Oil filled heaters work well in an area like this and are very safe.  

I don't really know what your restrictions or budget is as to why you don't heat the room, but ultimately we are talking energy here, so it will take some money to keep it warm.

Good Growing!

Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.cobraplant.com