Heated Propagator Advice

[alim0229]

Hi there,

I am thinking about purchasing an heated propagator to use for chillis, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers.

I understand they are not essential but make life easier.

I have looked at the Vitopod, gets rave reviews but expensive. Is this the best one to get or does a much cheaper one work just the same

Many thanks

[Fruit&2veg]

Hi
I bought a large but Cheap and cheerfull electric from B&Q about 8 years ago(think it was their own make) and its still going strong, have had great service from it. My advice would be to buy the largest you can find at an affordable price- My only problem seems to be never having enough space in it at peek sowing times lol

[Two_Sheds]

There's lots of discussion in some of the older threads ~ if you type 'propagator' into the search box you get 3 pages or so

Here's one: http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...tor_55221.html
to get you started

[Davyburns]

Hi there,

I am thinking about purchasing an heated propagator to use for chillis, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers.

I understand they are not essential but make life easier.

I have looked at the Vitopod, gets rave reviews but expensive. Is this the best one to get or does a much cheaper one work just the same

Many thanks

I was having difficulty with chillis las year, and I bought a Vitapod. and they were through in a week. The main differences are, the temperature can be controlled degree by degree up to 30 degrees, Whereas most of the cheaper ones have a fixed temp of 18 - 20 degrees. they recommend 25 for some chillis. Then theres the build quility, its very sturdy and solid. I bought the "double double, but havent used the second set of walls, but I used the double base a lot. Very happy with it. I know its expensive but quality never comes cheap

[Aberdeenplotter]

make your own heated with a heating cable(covered in sand) and thermostat. You can then place individual trays or pots on the bench covering them with acrylic covers as needed

[northepaul]

I have one that I bought from Ebay acouple of years ago - I think it was around £20 but is a very big one. The only down side is that the seedtrays have all become fagile so I will have to buy new ones. They work brilliently with chillis though.

[Thelma Sanders]

I bought the long narrow window-cill type with 7 small seedtrays n covers. Works well, no probs with chillis so far, some just take a bit longer than others, regardless of temp

[alim0229]

thanks for the helpful replies. Incidentally, do seeds have a shelf life.

For example, I have some seeds for Gardeners tomatoes left over from last year. Can I use these next year or do I need to throw away and purchase a fresh packet? Are older seeds more likely to lead to 'weaker' plants and less fruit in the long run

Many thanks and apologies for the really basic question

[solway cropper]

As long as seed is kept cool and dry it should last for at least three/four years. One big exception is parsnips which they say should be fresh each year but I've sown old seed without any problems.

If you are in any doubt just place a couple of seeds on damp kitchen towel in a warm place and see if they germinate.

[smallblueplanet]

I was having difficulty with chillis las year, and I bought a Vitapod. and they were through in a week. The main differences are, the temperature can be controlled degree by degree up to 30 degrees...

I grow lots of chillies and have never had any problem with our cheaper fixed temp prop - they raise the prop temp above room temp by a certain amount. I grow all sorts of habs & such like - no problem. Give the cheap B&Q or similar prop a go...

[salome2001]

thanks for the ebay idea, i've been lusting after but resisting a heated propagator this year...
btw, windowsills over radiators work well with cheap nonheated propagators...

[Davyburns]

I grow lots of chillies and have never had any problem with our cheaper fixed temp prop - they raise the prop temp above room temp by a certain amount. I grow all sorts of habs & such like - no problem. Give the cheap B&Q or similar prop a go...

If it works for you, fine, all I was saying is that it didn't work for me. I spent a lot of money on on the cheaper fixed temp type, and it hasnt been wasted, I use them on other seeds, So I suppose it depends on your location.

[Currysniffa]

I got a cheap B&Q fixed temp prop last January, here's my thread http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...tor_53972.html

[donnakebab]

I bought the long narrow window-cill type with 7 small seedtrays n covers. Works well, no probs with chillis so far, some just take a bit longer than others, regardless of temp

Hey TS I've been looking at this propogator online. Amazon does it for £25.99. I want to grow chillies and peppers and I have the perfect windowsill in the conservatory where it won't be disturbed too much. However, I've also seen a 38cm standard heated one for £13.99 which I think is really good value so I'm tempted to get 2 but they won't fit on the perfect windowsill. There are other surfaces I can put it on though.

I've never had a problem getting other seeds to germinate so probably won't use it for anything else. I think I've just talked myself into getting one of the £13.99 ones.

What do you reckon everybody?

[RedThorn]

Try 2 unheated propogators and a reptile heat mat. Place the base of one propogator down insert heat mat place second base in to prevent water on the heat mat and lid voila! (the reptile heats range from about 25 deg to 32 deg )

Always found it wasn't the germinating that was the problem, it's the lack of light....