Cobbling together a heated propagator

[amandaandherveg]

I have a few unheated propagators which I used this year on the windowsills with great success. I'm now all spurred on after reading about all the tomato seeds being planted this week but my windowsills are still pretty chilly.

If I was to get my hands on a small heated Fermentation or Vivarium Mat and popped it underneath the propagator (around 45 watts) would it work or is it a mad/stupid idea?

[BrideXIII]

i have heard that it works, thing is if you are heating from underneath, you need to be checking for dryness, any heat is good, dryness is bad, but if like a few of us you are mad to try a bit of early propagation, go for it!!!

[PAULW]

I have a heat mat that I use for stuff that doesn't need to be in a propagator with a lid (hatched in, moved out) I have found it is best not to have direct contact with the mat so I stand the tray on plastic milk bottle tops which give about a quarter of an inch air space between mat and tray.

[Two_Sheds]

Why not just buy one? They're about £12 on eBay - I bought two last year, (I was very sceptical, and very tight) ~ they've been brilliant, I wouldn't be without them now. Germination is so much better.

They work for lots of seeds, not just tomatoes. They've definitely earned their keep.

[Snadger]

I put damp sand in the bottom of my tray...............this way you can regulate the bottom heat by how thick you make the sand!

[lynda66]

i put mine in the boiler cupboard

[pigletwillie]

I have never used one. The end of the kitchen worktop works very well and I never get the leggy weedy seedlings that can be an issue with propogators if you leave seeds in them just a few hours too long.

[zazen999]

I bought a heated propagator. The middle goes too dry before the outside has time to warm up.

And it gets those little black flies.

[PAULW]

I have never used one. The end of the kitchen worktop works very well and I never get the leggy weedy seedlings that can be an issue with propogators if you leave seeds in them just a few hours too long.

The solution to this I have found is to take the lid off as soon as the seeds hatch, they then have light and bottom heat.

[SarzWix]

I just don't have room in the kitchen for any seed trays, all mine have to go on the porch windowsill, which has decent light, but gets flippin chilly! So I have one heated propagator, and also a small heat mat which I can use under a full size seed tray, or pots of varying sizes. I wouldn't be without either, but you do have to keep an eye on the seedlings.

[crazy_red]

I have a few unheated propagators which I used this year on the windowsills with great success. I'm now all spurred on after reading about all the tomato seeds being planted this week but my windowsills are still pretty chilly.

If I was to get my hands on a small heated Fermentation or Vivarium Mat and popped it underneath the propagator (around 45 watts) would it work or is it a mad/stupid idea?

I also have itchy fingers but my heated propagator is way too wide to get on a window sill.

Just as a matter of interest, what size are your propagators? I bought standard half seed trays with the plastic lids and they are too wide for my window sills!

Similarly, the heating mats I have looked at are quite wide. Anyone know if you can you get long thin heating mats, as a pose to short fat ones?

Red x

[smallblueplanet]

Couple here

PARASENE 6TRAY WINDOWSILL ELECTRIC PROPAGATOR on eBay, also Propagators Cold Frames, Hand Tools Equipment, Garden Plants, Home Garden (end time 08-Jan-09 22:15:39 GMT)

GARLAND TRIO TOP 3 ELECTRIC WINDOWSILL PROPAGATOR, SEED on eBay, also Propagators Cold Frames, Hand Tools Equipment, Garden Plants, Home Garden (end time 09-Jan-09 21:44:29 GMT)

Wouldn't be without my heated propagator, especially for chillies & aubs...but each to their own.

[crazy_red]

Wouldn't be without my heated propagator, especially for chillies & aubs...but each to their own.

Are chillies and aubergines difficult to germinate, or is it just quicker with the extra heat?

Red

[Two_Sheds]

Chillies and aubergines need a minimum temp of 16-18 C to germinate. http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...res_15025.html

[pigletwillie]

Some chillies need even warmer than that but I only grow 2-3 less demanding varieties and they all do very well germination wise in the kitchen.

My house like most others I suspect, very rarely drops below 16-18 degrees and is much warmer when we are at home with either the fire or the central heating on.