bottom heat

American  

noun

Horticulture.

1. heat artificially applied to a container in which plants are grown in order to induce their germination, rooting, or growth.

---

Etymology

Origin of bottom heat

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

Pepper seeds may take two weeks to germinate without bottom heat to the seed tray.

From Washington Post • Mar. 2, 2021

Gentle bottom heat, though not essential, is still very desirable, and will conduce to the success of the operation.

From American Pomology Apples by Warder, J. A.

The seeds are sown singly in rich, sandy soil in small pots early in February and plunged in a bottom heat.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 8 "Cube" to "Daguerre, Louis" by Various

Give them a brisk bottom heat, and proper supplies of water.

From In-Door Gardening for Every Week in the Year Showing the Most Successful Treatment for all Plants Cultivated in the Greenhouse, Conservatory, Stove, Pit, Orchid, and Forcing-house by Keane, William

These should be pulled off with a "heel," and inserted in sandy soil in a close frame, with brisk bottom heat.

From Trees and Shrubs for English Gardens by Cook, Ernest Thomas