Topic: Heated Propagator

[sandersj89]

Can any one recommend a good all round heated, preferably by electricity, propagator. Ideally I want it to have thermostatic control and take at least 2 standard seed trays. Something that is well built and will last a few seasons.

Thanks

Jerry

[SMP1704]

Hi Jerry

As recommended in April's GYO  their 'best buy' is the Vitagrow 50x50x24cm at £124.95 from greenhousesensation.co.uk (sure you can find it elsewhere too)

The other thermostatic propagator is by parasene 'three in one', which comes with 3 standard size seed trays £89.99 - parasene.com

Happy choosing

p.s. how's the house negotiations coming along?

[Barnowl]

I've used this double one for a couple of years. Has performed ok so far...

http://www.grovelands.com/acatalog/info_PAR135.html

but the triple may well be worth the extra cash.

[tim]

Both my Wards failed.

The Parasene high top has done me fine.

[Barnowl]

In the GH , I filled mine with 30 different varieties of chilli and peppers (in cells) yesterday and set thermostat to just under max.

Size meant I could only go for two or three of each, so hope I get a good germination rate.  Have turned the anti frost heater back on, but otherwise it will continue a cold GH.

Which reminds me, I have spare chilli seeds and in particular a lot (quantity rather than range) of Italian sweet and chilli peppers. The Italian Seed Company and Seeds of Italy provide a lot of seeds in their packets and I don't have a lot of room. Ditto for Tomatoes, whch are going in to an old non-thermostatic propagator tonight.

Anyone looking? If so, the list is a bit too long to print, let me know the type you're interested in (e.g. hot,  mild, very mild, sweet large/small, cordon / bush round, plum) and I'll pm you what I've got.

No swaps required.

[Tee Gee]

Mines is a 'Wards' 28" or there abouts and I have had it for over twelve years now and it has been OK for me.

I am not sure if the thermostat is accurate but I cured this with a soil thermometer i.e. I checked the propagator controls with the thermometer and calibrated the marking to suit.

This is mine; http://tinyurl.com/yt9xp8 plus my hot bed and fan heater. The fan heater is rarely used but it can come in handy during the summer.

[RSJK]

Hi Jerry, just a thought , have you not considered making your own propagator using a soil warming cable.

[Two Choices]

Jerry, not sure how much you want to fork out.  I have a simple Sankey (non controllable) heated propogator that has served me well for three years. It's the double seedtray size and I've seen them for around £25 in Wyvales. There have been stories of the thermostats in these cheaper ones not switching off and an easy way to ensure you dont fry your seedlings is to use a simple timer (the one with lots of 15 min segments) and have it come on for 15 mins and off for 15 mins after the contents have germinated.
I also made a heated bed last year and would recommend it. It is far more flexible.  You can place cheap unheated propogators on it and then stand open trays and pots as things get bigger.   I have mine on the lower bench and currently using recycled bubble wrap have a sort of mini heated greenhouse within my greenhouse.  One point of caution though, you will need to support your bench as you tend to forget that each bag of sand ways 25kgs.  I think mine took 4 or 5 bags! Hope this helps. Let us all know what you decide.TC :)

[sandersj89]

Thanks guys

I have gone for the double parasene one that has arrived today so will set it up this evening to run for 24 hours so I can monitor the temp.

Jerry

[Barnowl]

Good luck - happy germinating. :)