Propagation question

[jools]

I have two electric propagators in my greenhouse. One is about the size of a standard seed tray and the other is twice as big. Neither are temperature controlled. They are both full of seeds, some of which are happily sprouting. I have a number of questions which I am hoping some of you more experienced growers will be able to help me with.

I have already run out of space for planting new seeds. Almost all the seeds I have (most are flower seeds) require heat for them to germinate. I could grow a few indoors but with kids and kids stuff everywhere, its not as easy as it sounds. Also, once they have germinated and are planted on, instructions often say they should be placed at a lower temperature. Does this mean keeping the lid off? At what stage can they be kept on the staging in the greenhouse (which I am not currently heating)without direct heat? Would they be okay if I just put the heating on at night. It was bloomin cold out here last night (getting up during the night to let the new pup out!).

I have committed myself to growing plants for the school summer fete but I also have a reasonable sized garden of my own to fill, including a brand new border, so I want to grow lots and lots of stuff.

I just wondered what others do. I have seen a really good sized Bio-Green jumbo propagator with a polythyrene cover. It has acres of space and I want it want it want it but I think Santa has already been good to me of late so I'd better not.

Jools

[SimonCole]

I stick an old oil heater in my greenhouse and germinate the seeds on the staging. It never drops below 12 degrees Celsius. For more tropical plants I germinate indoors, then move them outside. As soon as two adult leaves have formed, I prick the seedlings out into 4" pots.

[nick the grief]

I would get ome spare propagator tops and cover your trays over with them but take them off the heat. If it forecasts frost just cover them over with either a double layrer of fleece or some newspaper over night, they should be OK in a week or so to take the lids off during the day but still cover at night and then after that only cover on really cold nights & they should be OK.

[Alice]

Hello Jools,it's hard to advise you when I don't know what you're growing and can't see what you're doing. Seedlings are much tougher than you think. About 6 degrees is a growing temperature and most things are perfectly safe around 3 degrees.
I've never used an electric propagator. I keep my planted seeds indoors until they germinate then I get them outdoors if possible , or into the greenhouse without heat. If it's cold at night, cover them up with fleece.
It's still only January, so you're quite early with flower seeds. About mid March would be fine for most things. I plant my dahlias then and they flower beginning of July.
Today I rescued some lupins. I planted them outside in seed trays late last summer. For reasons not to be talked about they were ignored until today. I found them in sodden seed trays which had been out all winter, lovely little leaves on them and none the worse looking for the neglect. I planted them all into 5" pots and left them outside. (garden centre charges 99p for them) and I'll plant them out later and expect them to flower this year.
Heating the greenhouse costs money, and I try not to heat mine til about end of March, through April when required and frosty nights in May, and to have enough in there to justify the expense.
If you tell us what you are growing, we can give you more specific advice.

[jools]

Okay everyone, thanks. I think I have been worrying that they would flop over and die if they didn't have any heat. I have only sown those things which say on the packet can be sown in January. What's thrown me is that quite a few of the flower seeds instructions say something like "place at 18-20C until germination and then transplant and grow on in cooler conditions". What on earth does cooler conditions mean? If it means something over about 5C then that's okay as my little electric heater can be primed to turn itself on if the temperature drops below that. Also, I bought one of those cheap plastic covered set of shelves which would not doubt keep them a little warmer.
Usually, I buy plug plants and the seeds I have sown have been a bit hit and miss so it will be interesting to see how they come on.

Alice, there are too many to mention but a selection is as follows:-
Penstemon Barbatus Iron Maiden
Antirrhinum braun-blanquetti
Delphinium Hybrida Green Twist
French Marigold Boy-O-Boy
Carnation Cottage Delight

I have also planted Tomato Big Boy, Sweet peppers and aubergine Moneymaker as I think these need a long growning season. But I think these need to be kept warmer when they have germinated so I might find a place for them indoors.

Jools

[Alice]

Hello Jools, you're right about your tomatoes, peppers and aubergines. They want a longer growing season and a bit of temperature to do well, so if you can keep them indoors til the weather warms up a bit it will save you some money on heating.
I think your flowers will be fine just kept above 5 or 6 degrees which is a growing temperature, and it's warmer than that during the day anyway, and at night you can cover them with fleece and set your heater to come on at 5 degrees.
When the weather's damp don't forget to ventilate your greenhouse to avoid botritus (gray mouldy stuff) . If your heater can be set to fan only it's a good idea to have it on for a while to help with the ventilation.
I think what we all need is an early spring. It's certanly bidding for it here and we haven't had winter yet.

[pigletwillie]

Jools,

your tomatoes etc need a minimum of 10 degrees to keep them happy and prevent them from being shocked. I heat my greenhouse but if you keep them on a windowsill beware of boiling them when the radiator is on and freezing them when its off. They will need as much light as you can give them to prevent leggyness.

[kittykat8]

peppers tomatoes etc

Are you starting off in an electric propargator, or just planting into pots

marion

[jools]

Hi Marion
I'm starting the peppers, toms etc - in fact everything - in propagators.
Jools