Heat mat or heated propagator

[Logunner]

Looking for advice.

Never used either but need to do something to improve my germination results. Which would you recommend?

[Thelma Sanders]

12 years ago I bought a propagator set like this https://www.garlandproducts.com/supe...ropagator.html which I still use when I only need to germinate small quantities You often see them on offer
Later I progressed to a bigger one with a tall lid that will take quite a few small pots or 2 full-size seed trays https://www.wilko.com/en-uk/sankey-p...52cm/p/0445589 https://www.wilko.com/en-uk/sankey-p...52cm/p/0445589

[rary]

I normally make a propagation box 6ft. X2. 5ft but this year I am going to use a heat mat I the size is 48in.x16in but will be using a plastic cover with it to make a propagator I also have an electric propagator which will take 1 seed tray, I will not be starting my seeds off as early as I normally do

[Aberdeenplotter]

I have a single tray size propagator which I've had for years. Fixed temperature and it works well but just too small. I bought a Stewart two tray heated propagator last year. It works well also so I can now have three full sized trays with heat under. I also have a 4ft x 2 ft home made heated bench made using scrap wood, polythene sheeting to keep the wood dry, heating cables bedded in damp sand with thermostat attached, polythene over and finally covered in capillary matting. I have a 4ft x 2ft 8 tube T5 grow light over that one.

[SimpleSimon]

What are you trying to germinate? I have both and use both for chillis as I sow them so early. The mat is on a temp controller so only comes on when the soil temp is below 28c. Sounds a bit fancy but was actually less than a tenner to build (helps that one of my electric propagators was £1.50 from wilkos).

For everything else I just use a garland heated one with 3 little propagators on it. Works well and wasn't too expensive.

If I had a garage I'd build a heated bench

[Logunner]

What are you trying to germinate?

Everything from toms to brassicas

[Logunner]

What are you trying to germinate?

Everything from toms to brassicas

[Thelma Sanders]

Everything from toms to brassicas

Brassicas really don't need bottom heat to germinate - they'll just grow leggy and weak.

Temperature guides here https://www.growlikegrandad.co.uk/al...zen-march.html

[Scarlet]

Everything from toms to brassicas

I think you'll find brassicas are best started indoors on a windowsill and moved out as soon as you see some green. They get leggy quick if put in a prop.

For most other seed germination I use a couple of old large Sankey propagators with fixed temps - I've had them both for about 20 years.
I wouldn't be without them for tomatoes and chillies.

I also have a couple of temp controlled
heat mats -( old reptile kit ) these I mostly used for cuttings with plastic bags over the pots but are great when I run out of room in my propagators.
I find starting stuff off in warmed soil ( bag in the house ) really helps.

Propagators every time for me... I also like that they are small enough to have indoors so you can keep an eye on them.

[Scarlet]

Brassicas really don't need bottom heat to germinate - they'll just grow leggy and weak.

Temperature guides here https://www.growlikegrandad.co.uk/al...zen-march.html

Show how long it took me to post!!
To be fair - the dog had found a golf ball and didn't want to give it up!!

[veggiechicken]

Propagators here. Don't have electric in the GH and don't want a heat mat indoors (not even sure what one looks like!).

[Small pumpkin]

I us both. Mostly propagator and only for chillies, sweet peppers, tomatoes & aubergine. Heat mat is only used for already germinated chillies.
Everything else is sown in unheated propagators.

[Mark_Riga]

I would say it depends on how cold it gets in the room it will be in. A propagator will tend to just heat up the space it encloses and contain any moisture so compost dries out less. A heat mat (I've never really used one) would loose heat faster to the rest of the room and dry out the compost quicker.
Then it just depends on the size you would like. I ended up with a Bio Green Jumbo Propagator (Heated) as it is quite large. Basically a heatmat in a polythene frame - and I use it for everything from brassicas to toms. As soon as cabbage show the first leaves they are removed to stop them getting too leggy. if they do get a bit leggy (which does happen sometimes as the conservatory I use for starting stuff is west facing and doesn't get the sun till noon), they are just planted out a bit deeper.

[Logunner]

The heated propagators are going in an unheated summerhouse. It’s frost free but only 2c above outside temp (At this time of year) hence the need for heated option.

Also have a grow light station set up.

[SimpleSimon]

The heated propagators are going in an unheated summerhouse. It’s frost free but only 2c above outside temp (At this time of year) hence the need for heated option.

Also have a grow light station set up.

My heated propagators would struggle at those temps winter / early spring. They aren't very powerful. 13watt I think so capable on maintaining temps maybe 10c above ambient but defo not 20c+ needed for chillis. You can get fancy temp controlled ones tho that maybe more powerful.