What temp in your prop?

[smallblueplanet]

I've just checked the temperature in our heated prop. We've had it a while and I thought it was a bit iffy last year. Well the temp in the air is 26C and on the bottom of the prop 36C - this seems a bit hotter than it should be? But I've never checked it before so it may be normal.

So what is the air and 'floor' temp in your heated prop? Do I need a new one?!

[nick the grief]

If you can turn it down to about 20 that would be about spot on, But I suspect it's one of these seal units that lift the temperature by about 15 degrees hence 36c. the main problem with having it that high is that you'll have to be more careful about hardening the plants off and they may get draw. Also some seeds I find a swine to germinate at hi temps ( some of the brassica's for instance. Come the summer if I want to sow a few lettuce I have to put them under the bench to germinate!

[smallblueplanet]

Oh well it sounds like its probably the same temp that it's always been then - its not thermostatically controlled, it just raises temp as you say...

...I was looking for something to blame the non-germination of the pelargonium & marigold seeds! Guess its down to me then. Could the seed be old or too hot then?

[Snadger]

My electric propagator came with instructions to cover the bottom with damp sand to even out any hotspots. I haven't done this and it seems to be fine so haven't bothered

If you were wanting to cool it down a bit SBP a layer of damp sand in the bottom may just do the trick. Anything that absorbs a bit of the heat would do, so you could even experiment with different thicknesses and different materials in the bottom checking the temp to achieve your optimum!

Worth a try!

[smallblueplanet]

Thanks Snadger, there is a piece of capillary matting on the bottom of the tray. Wouldn't hurt to buy some sand anyway for plants that want good drainage.

[rustylady]

If, like mine, yours is not thermostatically controlled then you need to be careful where you site it. Mine is in the outhouse which is (sort of) attached to the house. It is always above freezing, but never gets really hot. If yours is indoors and your house is heated, then it is probably getting too hot for the seeds. You really shouldn't need to have a heated propagator inside your house. By modern standards, room temperature should be enough to germinate most seeds.

[wellie]

I had this 'problem' SBP with one of my plug-in non-thermo props last year, and the inside of the tray melted and distorted and I tend to share Rustylady's thoughts there.
Snadger's hit the nail on the head too, and that's what I ended up doing with the other plug-in one I had. (Must remember to remove the sand before packing propagators up in our move to France!!)

[pigletwillie]

I think I must be the only luddite on the vine who doesnt use one as the kitchen worktop serves perfectly well.

In the heated greenhouse (only to 10 degrees) I have lots of brassica and salads that are just popping up now after about 5-6 days and they are just in 4" pots, no cover or owt.

My own preference is to germinate them slowly with no forcing or drawing of the seedlings.

With reference to keeping the temp lower, how about taking the lid off and just having the bottom heat.

[smallblueplanet]

Yeah PW, but maybe you keep your house at Mediterranean temperatures?

[wellie]

Kettle & Toaster in the Greenhouse Piggy?!

[pigletwillie]

No manda, no heating at all between 8.45 and 5pm and only to 20 degrees between 7 till 8.45am and 5pm - 10pm. So I cant say my house is overly hot or even heated for long.

With the sole exception of some chillies, I can think of nothing that needs a propogator other than the growers impatience. Judging by the amount of questions on the vine about them, they seem more of a curse than a blessing.

Wellie, no kettle in the greenhouse YET!!!!, only a radio, lighting and a fan heater set to 10