Chances of germination without heated propgator?

[wordnerd]

I've sown my first ever seeds in an unheated propagator on the windowsill over the past couple of days. I did several varieties each of pumpkin, cucumber, tomato, aubergine, chillies and peppers. After doing more research after the fact, I've realised I should have really used a heated propagator. I've now ordered a heating mat, but it isn't due to come until the 17th. What are the chances that they'll germinate in the unheated propagator or be able to be saved once the heating mat arrives?

[Small pumpkin]

Hi welcome to the vine
You should still get germination. Specially as you have them on a window cill in the house. It'll just take a little longer. Most seeds take between 3 & 14 days to germinate ( the hotter varieties of chilli can take longer ). So when your heat mat arrives just sit it under how ever hasn't put in an appearance yet.

[Snoop Puss]

^Agree with Small Pumpkin. Maybe move them away from the window at night, as the glass could get quite cold and it's often a chilly spot behind curtains.

[Bluenowhere]

I germinated cucumber, tomatoes, squash, pumpkins and peppers on a south facing window sill last year. Ignorance was bliss!

[Ani]

I don't have a heated propagator but I have my unheated one right above the radiator. Almost perfect germination rates and times (chillies and aubergines 9-10 days, tomatoes 4-5 days).
The first picture is from 28/2 (chillies in the front are from 21/1 sowing), second is today.

[wordnerd]

Thanks for the replies! Sounds hopeful.

[self-contained]

Wow, Ani, I wish I had a lovely long window ledges like you!

Wordnerd, I also had success with aubergines, tomatoes and plants on a southish facing windowsill. I got going a bit late, so I don't think I even had the radiators on.

[Derbydal]

same here chillies,peppers, toms and anything else that needs a bit of heat to get em going , 3 cheapo propagators on south facing windowcill and a radiator undernethe atb Dal.

[cabbagepatchkid]

I've raised all of those apart from chillies (not growing them so far) on a windowsill with no extra heat, in a coldish flat with no radiators. The odd seed does not germinate and some take a few days longer, but once they poke up they grow well and seem fairly hardy (knock on wood).

[muck lover]

There are disadvantages to using a heated propagated too. You run a greater risk of getting leggy seedlings that struggle with insufficient light. I pop some seedlings In The hot press and check them a couple of times per day and put on windowsill once the first seedling is visible.
Heated propagates have their place but as with a lot of things you have to build up your experience to get the best out of them.

[It never rains..it pours]

Welcome, my experience is heat is quite easy to give in a warm room or next to a radiator, light on the other hand is much harder so would put a grow light ahead of a propagator on my capital expenditure want list

[4Shoes]

Last year, I germinated all my seeds with no heat. Take advice from Grapes. Cover with plastic bags if risk of drying out. Cover with sheet of Glass if not Plastic propagator type cover or with lots of clear plastic grape type tubs.

all best.

[SlugLobber]

I don't remember the last time I used a heated propagator! Windowsills or greenhouse for me. Just be wary if there's a radiator underneath and cover if necessary with plastic for heat/water retention.

[carly]

Never used a heated propegater. Normally all my seeds germinate