Lit + heated propagator question

[Headfry]

I am looking for (I think) a full seed tray sized heated propagator that has a grow lamp.
reason-

Aubergines need 20deg to germinate - I have a large heated PG in my un heated greenhouse. I saved my pennies for ages!
I dont want to heat this to 20deg, so I germinate the seed in my very warm kitchen. However, the house is dark inside so seedling getting leggy. I have 50% of my Aubergines up, how do I keep them from getting leggy while the others germinate.
Once germinated they can go outside at a little lower temp. I guess about 15-17% in the PG - they seemed ok at this last year.

I would like to germinate them inside still (but with the option of using 'heated' PG outside if needed) What I need is LIGHT!!!

Have saved a few pennies and would rather buy than make - time not on my side

Many thanks for any ideas given.......please

[Matt94]

erm, put them on a windowsill - with a tin foil reflector!

[Bren In Pots]

Headfry there was a thread on here a while back someone bought a h/prop combined with a overhead light so I hope they see your post.

Back again here's the thread about the Grow Light System :-

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ors_62765.html

[Dead Dogs]

Here's a link to the Garland system.

Garland Grow Light Garden - Garden Essentials

I don't think it is heated, except by the lights.

I have the same problem with leggy seedling and bought a couple of LED grow lights last year. My Toms did well under the all blue LEDs. However, this season the Toms I sowed on Xmas eve still became leggy. I think it was probably due to the room I'm using being significantly warmer than last year. For my birthday, I bought a 300 watt 7 spectrum LED grow light and the new seedling are doing great. No leggness.

So, what I have leant is;
1 The warmer the plant is, the brighter the light needs to be.
2 That plants need a rest period (dark).
3 Grow lights are NOT cost effective.

Helpful tip.
If you have a spot light, reading light etc. You can fit a full spectrum (also called daylight or cool) compact fluorescent bulb and use that as a grow light.

[Piggle]

I had a grow light once for growing nepenthes ... shame you're not nearer as you could have had it all as it's sitting in my spare room
I would say that nip to your local aquarium shop and you should be able to pick up a kit to make one yourself - all you need to do is make sure you buy the right type of bulb as they have different type for fish/ reptile and plants .

[Bigmallly]

Having never grown Aubergines before, I don't know if this suggestion would work:
Is it possible to germinate them on kitchen paper then plant them up as they germinate?.......just a thought.

[Alison]

Probably me being thick but why do they have to be moved at the same time? I take each seedling out the heated propogator as soon as it clears the soil but leave the others in there to stay warm.

[Bigmallly]

Probably me being thick but why do they have to be moved at the same time? I take each seedling out the heated propogator as soon as it clears the soil but leave the others in there to stay warm.

I was thinking the same but didn't know if they didn't like being disturbed.

[Piggle]

I started mine in Jan in a heated prop ( one of those little cheapy non thermostat contolled thingys) They've been pricked out into those plastic cup type things that you get lunch snacks in ( ie a clear cup with a clear dome lid) and they are on the kitchen window sill with a foil reflector behind them. They're not getting leggy at all although it is a south facing windowsill

I'm guessing that the cup is giving them a little microclimate of their own but I definately didn't cuddle them anymore than any other seed.

[Potstubsdustbins]

I have recently purchased a Grow Light Garden my toms and peppers are sat in it now. Its not heated but mine sits in my bedroom so thats not a problem. Results so far are good toms in modules and no sign of leggyness. To give you an idea of size it will hold 35 3" pots or 2 x 48 cell modules.

Colin

[Currysniffa]

You could build something like this with bulbs from here 5 x 30w 6400k Day-light Energy Saving CFL bulb BC B22 | eBay

[mudpies]

Germinated mine in heated PG then potted up and on the windowsill. Not an overly bright room but they seem happy enough and not leggy. The days are getting noticeably lighter and longer now so I think that helps.

[Headfry]

Brilliant help thank you all so much - the vine is a fab place, full of fab peps
Matt94 - first thing I did but still not enough light even with tin foil
Piggle - you have given me an idea- make a raft and float my seedlings in Mr HF's very large fish tank......not sure what he or the Chyclids would think of that.....but its a plan

I think next year I will so in individual pots that can be moved into the cooler PG as they germinate.

Thank you again!

[bazzaboy]

I am looking for (I think) a full seed tray sized heated propagator that has a grow lamp.
reason-

Aubergines need 20deg to germinate - I have a large heated PG in my un heated greenhouse. I saved my pennies for ages!
I dont want to heat this to 20deg, so I germinate the seed in my very warm kitchen. However, the house is dark inside so seedling getting leggy. I have 50% of my Aubergines up, how do I keep them from getting leggy while the others germinate.
Once germinated they can go outside at a little lower temp. I guess about 15-17% in the PG - they seemed ok at this last year.

I would like to germinate them inside still (but with the option of using 'heated' PG outside if needed) What I need is LIGHT!!!

Sorry for delayed response HF, been away, hope the following still useful.

I grow aubs and agree with you about the warmth needed for germination (I use one of those "Super 7 windowsill" propagators for that bit). As soon as they germinate I put them in pots, let them establish and then (as in photo) move to conservatory. I think once germinated they can stand lower temperatures than you're suggesting (but I don't doubt you may grow better aubergines than me). Those in the pic (Black Beauty and Moneymaker) have some gentle heat from below but the air temp is well below the 15-17 you mention. Presumably the greenhouse is light enough? Or, as you clearly have electricity there you, could supply supplementary with an overhead "envirolight" suspended over the PG.

With regard to auxiliary lighting there are many alternatives:

e.g. something like Harrods Grow Light system
GrowLight

The company Jungle Seeds, who deal with exotics, have a big range of auxiliary lighting and you may need nothing more than a simple indoor lamp like the JH1027:
Grow Lamps

Now temps and light easing the problem is probably solved. I find aubergines ideal candidates for the autopot Easy2Grow system. Their (somewhat confusing) website of the full range is at:
Easy 2 Grow - Home, Garden and Greenhousing Watering Systems
but easier (and sometimes cheaper) to buy as special offers, e.g. Lakeland:
Easy 2 Grow Kit in growing kits at the home of creative kitchenware, Lakeland

Hope some of that helpful. bb.