Propagator temps

[Paul Bromley]

Hi All,

Having germinated peppers and tomatoes in my propagator and potted them on, now about 3 or 4 inches high I have put the propagator in an unheated conservatory with the temps still set at 20c. My perhaps silly question is should I reduce the temperature slightly or should I keep them at 20c constantly, the propagator seems powerful enough to do this ?
Advice appreciated, many thanks.

[WendyC]

What are you trying to germinate in your propagator now? What guidance does the seed packet give? Sounds like your propagator has temperature control, so will sort itself out as to how much heat is needed to maintain the temperature you have selected. Ones without a thermostat just raise the temperature a few degrees above the ambient temperature.
There is no reason for your tomatoes and peppers to be in there now. Heated propagators are to aid propagation, e.g germination or rooting of cuttings. You may end up with very leggy seedlings if you keep them too warm with the light levels available indoors.

[Paul Bromley]

Thanks I have a temp controlled large propagator which I guess I am now using as a greenhouse ! there are no more seeds to come up so have put it into much the same conditions as the greenhouse with full daylight but in a conservatory with a glass roof. The conservatory is unheated so I guess my question relates to what temps should I aim to maintain at night, the day time can take care of itself
sorry if stupid question !

[Kristen]

Tomatoes (and other greenhouse crops such as Peppers, Melons, Cucumbers) need a minimum night temperature of 10C.

If your propagator has a clear plastic dome? then it might "cook" in direct sunlight in the greenhouse / conservatory, so best to take the lid off during the day - plus the sun-quality will be better (only going through the greenhouse glass, and not also having to go through the plastic dome). Cover them up at night so the propagator can keep them at 10C minimum.

You might want to get a Max/Min thermometer so that you know what the temperatures are in your greenhouse - that way you will get used to knowing what Min the greenhouse falls to, for a given forecast outdoor temperature, and being able to predict when the greenhouse will stay above 10C at night, and then you won't need the propagator on - I guess it won't be long before the Toms are too tall for the propagator anyway.

[WendyC]

I see, a conservatory is a useful place to have! I would think you would want a minimum of 10 degrees at night. I have had tomatoes in a cold greenhouse with a night temperature of 5 degrees but they aren't keen on it. Perhaps just turn your propagator on overnight to be sure? My tomatoes will have to go in the greenhouse soon as my son will be back from uni in a couple of weeks and will want to get in his bed- without the tomatoes, potatoes and assorted seedlings!

[Alison]

I have all my small pepper and chilli plants in my cool conservatory with no added heat. They're doing great and enjoying the good light levels. They were taken out the propagate as soon as they germinated in order to maximise light, I find the extra heat plus restricted light (from the lid) makes them leggy and I want nice sturdy plants.


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