Propagators and seed trays

[monkeyboy]

I'm looking at propagators eg geopod to help germinate and grow some plants so they can be transferred outdoors into the raised beds earlier (no greenhouse).

Can I use any seed trays with these heated propagators or do I need to use a specific type?

[burnie]

I use what ever comes to hand, pots, trays, old yoghurt cups, all work in mine.

[monkeyboy]

Thanks. It was a stupid question but as I'm new to all of this, I had to ask!

[veggiechicken]

Do you need a geopod (expensive)or would an ordinary propagator be sufficient?

[KevinM67]

As you don't have a greenhouse (like myself) - will you be sowing stuff in the house ?

That's what I have to do, and found that some grow lights were a great birthday present at the beginning of the year.

The heat from the house and some decent light where a great help (as well as the south facing window sills).

[monkeyboy]

Do you need a geopod (expensive)or would an ordinary propagator be sufficient?

As you don't have a greenhouse (like myself) - will you be sowing stuff in the house ?

The only real decent space I have to grow anything would be the south-facing utility room. But it's single skinned so can get very cold in there until April. The geopod has a thermostat to control the temperature, and comes with growlights to help reduce legginess.

[veggiechicken]

What plants are you intending to grow to plant outside? There's not much you can plant out until April anyway - except some hardy veg.
Just asking all these questions because a geopod is a lot of money. Don't think many of us have one - but it would be worth you asking for opinions on them before you buy one.

[Penellype]

I have a heated propagator, which I use without the heat as I find no need for it. I also have grow lights, which are hugely useful. You can buy cheap propagators which are basically a seed tray with a lid over, and various types of grow lights either built in (as in the grow light garden) or free standing.

What would concern me about the geopod is that the lights appear to be integrated into the lid, which would be fine for young seedlings that need a warm, damp atmosphere, but if you wanted to use the lights for other things (eg salads) you might have serious ventilation issues. Just a thought.

[boatsman]

I have successfully used the plastic boxes that were used to hold the 1.44Mb hard disks. The top is clear plastic and for some reason the black plastic base has small slots in it. I fill it with potting mix, sow the seeds on the surface and lightly cover with more potting mix. Then I spray it with a toilet spray filled with water and set the box down in a tray of water. The only snag is that these type pf boxes are now unobtainable.

[monkeyboy]

What plants are you intending to grow to plant outside? There's not much you can plant out until April anyway - except some hardy veg.

My SFG plan is here: http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ml#post1560271
I figured starting off seedlings indoors before planting outside come April time would give me a headstart. That's all I want the propagator for. I tried some jalapeño pepper seeds earlier in the year and the ones outdoors grew about an inch long and very floppy whereas the ones indoors grew well. That drew me to the conclusion that a good start is more likely to lead to a successful harvest. I don't want to plant everything and find it all failed.

I have a heated propagator, which I use without the heat as I find no need for it. I also have grow lights, which are hugely useful. You can buy cheap propagators which are basically a seed tray with a lid over, and various types of grow lights either built in (as in the grow light garden) or free standing.

What would concern me about the geopod is that the lights appear to be integrated into the lid, which would be fine for young seedlings that need a warm, damp atmosphere, but if you wanted to use the lights for other things (eg salads) you might have serious ventilation issues. Just a thought.

According to the reviews I read, the growlights sit in special slots and are removable rather than fixed. As above, it's for germination and early development. I intend to build (or maybe just buy) a growhouse to allow hardening off before planting outside.

[chris_m]

I have successfully used the plastic boxes that were used to hold the 1.44Mb hard disks. The top is clear plastic and for some reason the black plastic base has small slots in it. I fill it with potting mix, sow the seeds on the surface and lightly cover with more potting mix. Then I spray it with a toilet spray filled with water and set the box down in a tray of water. The only snag is that these type pf boxes are now unobtainable.

I think you meant 3½" floppy disks, but I agree that the boxes are at the least hard to find. I certainly haven't seen any for ages.

[chris_m]

According to the reviews I read, the growlights sit in special slots and are removable rather than fixed. As above, it's for germination and early development. I intend to build (or maybe just buy) a growhouse to allow hardening off before planting outside.

If need be, maybe you could stand the lid up on legs once the seedlings are up.

[monkeyboy]

I have successfully used the plastic boxes that were used to hold the 1.44Mb hard disks.

And yet about ten years ago, I finally got rid of my boxes. I had them in various sizes and shapes.

[Potstubsdustbins]

I am veering to VC's approach on this one, do some more research before spending that kind of money, I think I could go as far as to say you would probably the only person here with one, which should give pause for thought.

[4Shoes]

I'm also looking at grow lights / heat, but that is for undercover seedlings that need longer season.

See like me you are in the Zone 4 - Last predicted frost 2nd week of May as per Garden Focus.

https://www.gardenfocused.co.uk/index.php

I've been using the garden planner to help schedule my growing, but ran into problems last year with plants failing because the compost was running out of energy before I could get them outside.

Hope to be better prepared this year with some additional protection.

.