A first for me!

[bussinspain]

I received my first heated propogator for Christmas. So on the 6th January I sowed 4 types of chillies, chives. , cauliflowers, cabbages, lettuces. On 9th January the lettuces were showing through. Temperature is set at 18 degrees. Will start tomatoes at the end of the month. Anyone else got advice for proper use of heated propogator. ? It is positioned in natural light but away from direct sunlight to avoid overheating (I live in Spain )

[the big lebowski]

sounds like you are using it properly mate

[bussinspain]

And this morning the cauliflowers are showing through.

[the big lebowski]

great stuff just keep an eye on the watering side of things and dont let it get too dry ,good luck ,cheers

[bussinspain]

Using a spray bottle to keep just damp.

[the big lebowski]

perfect ,cheers

[Scarlet]

I think brassicas and leaves are best started without heat. They are cool weather plants and can get very leggy within hours if left in a propagator. Though I wouldn't be without my prop for seeds that can take a while to germinate and like a warmer germination temp..chillies, tomatoes, flowers etc.

[Nicos]

I don't use my heated prop very often.
I did find however, that it was easier to sow in lots of small pots/trays because once they have germinated they need to come out otherwise they can get leggy.
Thing is, there can be a delay of up to a week for seeds of the same variety so you then get the dilemma of do you remove them or leave them in longer...
With smaller pots you can be more selective.

[Mitzi]

What sort of chillies? A temperature of 25-30 is recommended for the hotter ones. I think they will germinate at lower temperatures but might take longer (several weeks).

[Penellype]

Absolutely agree that once the seedlings germinate they will need more light or they will become leggy. Can you rig up some sort of extra light above the propagator?

I would also not leave brassicas or lettuces in a heated propagator - I have trouble with leaves going brown and curling up under my grow lights which are not that warm.

Propagators are great for starting things off, but I have never used one for growing on after the seeds have germinated, but then I don't grow chillies as I don't eat them.

[Scarlet]

Propagators are great for starting things off, but I have never used one for growing on after the seeds have germinated, but then I don't grow chillies as I don't eat them.

Even my chillies are taken out straight away to make room for the next batch. My propagator is used for germination only. Admittedly mine is on at a higher temp but as soon as I see a speck of green the pot is taken out. I grow in single modules.

[Baldy]

Half trays in the proagators with 5 or 6 polystyrene cups in each - gives me muchos flexibilitos

https://youtu.be/kZMUAd7OJc8