Propagator and economy

[Jimmy]

Many years ago I made my own heated propagator.

My 8ftx6ft Greenhouse has two benches and it fits across one.

I bought a thermostat+cable and mounted it as an "air" heater on a small frame in the propagator..Consequently it's quite easy to dismantle and move when spring is over.

It's worked well all these years.

However of late we had an energy meter fitted on the mains.

Now anything that comes on in the house such as the oven, fridge, dishwasher etc results in the meter going up. This brings forth the comment from the wife "Look that dam great propagator of yours is eating all our electric.

So I started think that perhaps it is a waste to have this huge propagator when all it initially has in it as a few chilli seeds.

So I now have a small non-thermostatic heated tray with 3 Wilkinson small mini propagators ( Small plastic tray+perspex cover).

I will fire up the big one later to save money.

Well after all this rambling, some questions.

Anyone had experience with the heated trays.
Do they work?
Do they over heat ?
Any comments appreciated ( well nearly any ! )

Thanks Jimmy

[Potstubsdustbins]

Would seem strange if it did not have an internal non adjustable overheat stat much like the trays used for brewing.

Colin

[Jimmy]

Would seem strange if it did not have an internal non adjustable overheat stat much like the trays used for brewing.

Colin

Maybe it does , I also had an old wine heated mat. Didn't think any of them had a overheat stat. What would they be set at ?

I popped my electronic max/min in the soil in the little plastic propogator on the mat.
Its on the greenhouse bench.

Night temp min seemed to be around 17degC.
But day max seemed to be over 30degC.

Saying that the lettuce seeds i put in at weekend have shot up. I have taken them out onto the bench.


Jimmy

[Two_Sheds]

I now have a small non-thermostatic heated tray ... ( Small plastic tray+perspex cover).

That's what I use, two of them. One has chillies & tomatoes in at the mo, the other is switched off and has my overwintering fuchsia cuttings in

[Potstubsdustbins]

I am not sure of the exact temp setting as they can vary quite a bit. But its for sure they would not be able to sell something that could burn you or be a fire hazzard etc etc. So would think they max out at about 50`.

Colin

[Jimmy]

Well it still seems to work.
I popped a small tray with half little gem and half pandora (Red).
The little gem had shot up over the week, the pandora was a no show.
Taken them out now and just on GH bench.
The seeds were of unknown age, probably 2 or 3 years old.
Being a scrooge I never like throwing seeds away but do realise this is usually false economy.

Chilles going in this weekend !

Jimmy

[nick the grief]

These don't have a thermostat in but the heating element is designed to raise the temperature 3 or 4 degrees above the ambient temerature. It its 0c it will be 3 or 4 if its 20 it will be 23 or 24.

my bench is permanent and has about 5" of damp sand in and I was in there yesterday and it only cut in 2 or 3 times in an hour so 150w for 20secs/hour isn't going to add up to much ... tell your wife not to be mean and does she know how much the energy meter is taking Or better still turn the telly off from 6-10 at nght

[Pies]

Tell the wife we need to invest in the seeds or we will have to buy veg

[King Carrot]

Tell her how much the washing machine and dishwasher are using......end of subject

[rana]

Part of the fun of being a gardener is to work out the economics of raising seedlings and growing on plants. The investment in electricity (or other energy source) should be balanced against the potential cost of buying plants 6 to 8 weeks later and ultimately against the cost of the fruit and veg produced. The pleasure of 'growing your own' is of course invaluable!