Super 7 Windowsill propagater

[raine]

Hi all, As I am the kiss of death to seedlings, I thought I might need a little help! I'm thinking of buying a super7 windowsill propagate- any thoughts?

[Bigmallly]

I have the Super7. After about 3 years, the lids became brittle & cracked but I just improvised & used other coverings. I find that once the label has been removed, these are the perfect size as lids plus I gain the extra height if needed.

[Thelma Sanders]

I bought 1 of the electric version, I was so impressed that I bought another - and wouldn't be without them

[Bigmallly]

Mines also the electric version, I forgot they did them in non-electric................

[Kristen]

I have the Super7. After about 3 years, the lids became brittle & cracked

I've had mine 5 years at least, and the lids are still fine - but I take them off once the seeds have germinated, so they are probably only in active use from Feb to end of March each year, so don't get a lot of UV

Super 7 Electric Windowsill Propagator

[Alison]

I have the 3 propagator one Triple Top Windowsill Seed Propagator | Greenhouse Warehouse which is excellent. Had it for several years and it's big enough to get quite a lot in each tray. Think I'd find the 7 one trays to be a bit small.

[Kristen]

Think I'd find the 7 one trays to be a bit small.

The trays are 1/4 size. When I individually sow each seed (so they are evenly spaced) I can get 6-per-row and 10-rows absolute max (more if I broadcast the seed, e.g. if it is tiny).

I find having separate trays for each plant type means I don't disrupt other seeds, sown in the same tray, when pricking out. Not many things that I need more than 60-off, although I do plant multiple varieties of the same species in the same tray - as germination / pricking out should be same for all and then just a small risk of mix-up of varieties when pricking out.

[Alison]

The trays are 1/4 size. When I individually sow each seed (so they are evenly spaced) I can get 6-per-row and 10-rows absolute max (more if I broadcast the seed, e.g. if it is tiny).

I tend to fill mine with little newspaper pots, get about 12 in the small sized ones of the 3 tray propagator which suits me well as I'm often wanting to sow that sort of amount of things at a time. I don't really sow anything direct into trays, if it's very fine seed I do a small pinch into a little pot and as I use newspaper pots I don't have to prick them out. Things like brassicas which like being manhandled are sown about 10 to a 3" pot and then pricked out from there. Always find it interesting how many totally valid ways to do things we all have, I find this works best for me and the way I grow but know it's not the only way.

[Kristen]

I also use 9cm square pots (I'm a round-pot person, except for seed germination) for sowing small numbers of seeds as there are no gaps in the propagator [for heat to easily escape upwards]. I resent the fact that the pots are quite tall (seed trays and Pans being shallow of course) and I suppose I ought to find a suitable container (I grow so much stuff that I don't bother with recycled margarine tubs and the like, I want all-same-size so that my productivity is good when handling lots of them).

Interesting that you use newspaper pots for that job; I only use them for tall Tom pots for things that need no root disturbance when planting out (Parsnips for example).

I suppose Seeds are only in the pots for, what, 3 or 4 weeks from sowing to pricking out, so the pots are probably not even beginning to disintegrate by then?

Any issues with pricking-out from Paper pots [compared to rigid ones]?

[Alison]

Any issues with pricking-out from Paper pots [compared to rigid ones]?

I don't prick out anything in newspaper pots, one of the main reason I use them is so I can pot the whole thing on without touching the seedling. I use one of those small former things, a bit like this - Paper Pot Maker | Dojo Ecoshop at The Manchester Futon Company. Must have made thousands of them over the years, think the former thing was a gift about 10 years ago and it means I don't have to buy and store all those little pots . It's also quicker than pricking out as you can be much rougher and as long as the paper is damp when potted on it decomposes well.

[Philthy]

You've probably already made a decision at this point... but:

I found the Super 7 Electric Windowsill Propagator to be a good idea in principle due to it's dimensions, but in practice a little ineffective, bearing in mind it is only powered by a 13 watt element. The lids to not fit if you're using 100mm plants labels; the labels need shortening a little first. And the lids are prone to yellowing and cracking after 2-3 seasons.
For general propagation, and to utilise an otherwise awkward space, I'm sure the Super 7 would be fine, but if you have other siting options available and budget allows, I'd go for the more powerful 4 Top model, with a 50 watt element and fixed 19 celcius output. This will greatly increase your chances of success, especially with fussier seeds and cuttings, and allow for more exotic choices. Also the increased tray size will allow for bigger seed trays and thus slightly higher lids.

[Kristen]

in practice a little ineffective, bearing in mind it is only powered by a 13 watt element

Its weedy, for sure, but I think if used inside a centrally heated house it provides some warming to the soil which helps germination (a bit sooner, but more even IME)

The lids to not fit if you're using 100mm plants labels

True, I manage to get mine in at a jaunty angle, but I have to push them past a ridge in the edge of the plastic at the end of the seed tray - and then they lean out a bit and want to take the lid with them! If I have only one variety per tray I put the label in horizontally, along one side of the long edge

the lids are prone to yellowing and cracking after 2-3 seasons.

I've had mine for years (I even have several of the older shape/style trays/lids that don't nest very well). Mine haven't yellowed/cracked, but my lids come off the moment that seeds have germinated, so don't do many weeks in the sunshine in a season, and are on a West facing windowsill. Lids used in a greenhouse, i.e. in bright sunshine, might have a shorter life?

[Martin H]

the more powerful 4 Top model, with a 50 watt element and fixed 19 celcius output.

I've had one of these for nearly a week now and so far it looks good on the greenhouse shelf.
I like the flexibility - it will happily handle two standard seed trays instead of the four little ones that come with it.

[Philthy]

...Mine haven't yellowed/cracked, but my lids come off the moment that seeds have germinated, so don't do many weeks in the sunshine in a season, and are on a West facing windowsill. Lids used in a greenhouse, i.e. in bright sunshine, might have a shorter life?

I tend to leave my lids on for a couple of weeks after germination, but with the vents open. When I do remove them they're generally left in an untidy stack nearby (still in sunlight). I clean everything at the start of each season using boiling water; a prolonged soak in which probably helps shorten the life of the material as well.
Outside, the bird feeders have dome squirrel guards over them. These plastic domes started life totally clear, but now just a few years later, are very discoloured and brittle.
UV damage again I suspect.

[MarkHackwell]

Super 7 Heated Propagator

I have been looking for another heated propagator for some time as I use mine a lot and soon they will all be full up and have come across this Super 7 Heated Propagator which has 7 individual half seed trays. Has anyone got one? and what do you think of it?