Newbie - Quick, possibly stupid question about propogator

[robfosters]

I am very new to all this and have read as much as I can, but it still seems like there's more questions than answers.

My first simple question is:

I am a reptile enthusiast. Therefore, I have many contico storage boxes, heat mats and pulse proportional thermostats. I have combined these to make myself a DIY heated propogator.

Now, I know most unheated props have covers, but do I need a lid if the temperature is thermostatically controlled?

I am growing bell peppers, cucumbers and starting some basil off in it. I am keeping it about 70 degrees. The bell peppers are in a little covered propogator of there own. Should I leave the cover on or uncover along with the rest of the crop or should i just take it off and cover the lot?

Sorry if this is a little stupid

[Kristen]

A lid over germinating seeds maintains humidity, and pretty much no moisture will escape - therefore it is not necessary to water until the seeds have germinated (unless the seed takes ages to germinate, but there aren't any vegetables that I can think of in that category)

Once the seeds have germinated then you need to introduce air otherwise there is a risk of fungal diseases developing - particularly "damping off" which will cause the seedlings to keel-over and die.

Just putting some cling-film over the pot (or whatever) with the seeds in it will do. If the volume of air above the soil is large (e.g. a large propagator with just one small pot in it) then the ability to keep the humidity up is lost and the pot will most likely dry out.

[robfosters]

Thanks Kristen.

Unfortunately, I have no clingfilm in the house. Will they be OK till tomorrow when I can run out and get some?

I hope so. I might just have to give them a small watering before I cover them.

Can they be uncovered as long as you are prepared to keep watering them?

[chris]

I've germinted some just using the base of my heated props..(lost the lid) If the compost isn't bone dry then I'm sure they'll be fine

[Kristen]

Unfortunately, I have no clingfilm in the house.

Plastic freezer bag? even an upturned tupperware box will be OK - they won't need any light until they germinate so pro-temp something opaque is fine.

Will they be OK till tomorrow when I can run out and get some?

I hope so. I might just have to give them a small watering before I cover them.

Can they be uncovered as long as you are prepared to keep watering them?

The issue is that watering means that they alternate from wet-through-damp-to-dry and back again. Like they do in the wild.

If you keep the moisture content more constant you will get better, faster, germination - particularly if you keep the temperature about right and fairly constant.

Just sticking a pot of seeds in a freezer bag in, say, the airing cupboard is a good alternative - but you do have to be vigilant for when they germinate as they will grow long and weak (so called "leggy") in no-time-flat if left in a dark airing cupboard even for 24 hours after they germinate.

But, like I say, they should germinate uncovered and with waterings, just not so well as if you enclose them so the moisture gets recycled rather than escaping.

[rustylady]

Now, I know most unheated props have covers, but do I need a lid if the temperature is thermostatically controlled?

Sorry if this is a little stupid

No, it's not stupid at all. The only thing I would add to what the others have said is that if you don't cover your heated propagator you will be wasting energy as all that heat will simply escape.

[rana]

I'm with Rusty Lady. You will use considerably more electricity if there is no cover. Also if there is a cold snap the heaters may not be able to provide enough warmth to protect the plantlets.

[robfosters]

Cheers all,

In the end I just moistened the compost and covered each pot with clingfilm.

I will be planting in some seed trays this week. I will try and get ones with lids. If I cant, I shall have to improvise.

[Two_Sheds]

In the end I just moistened the compost and covered each pot with clingfilm.

I will be planting in some seed trays this week. I will try and get ones with lids. If I cant, I shall have to improvise.

Clingfilm works

Personally, I don't like seed trays, I find modules much easier to use. Again, clingfilm on the top, or cover with some kind of plastic lid to keep moisture in until they germinate. Then whip off the lids