Topic: home made propagator

[jock_edin]

I was listening to one of the older lottie gentlemen yesterday and he got me very interested in the propagator he built. A simple box of wood then a perspex top with a 40 watt bulb to do the heating, he said a cheap and old thermostat set around 61-65 degrees. Anyone with schetch of such a thing or any other idea.
                           very interested jock

[tim]

Otherwise, pay your money??

http://www.gardensystems.co.uk/products.asp?type=Bio%20Green%20Heat%20Mats%20and%20Heat%20Pads

[wardy]

I'm thinking of doing the hot box with the straw bales with manure and soil on top and a piece of glass over it.  thinking is as far as I've got at the mo  ;D

[simon404]

Wilkos do seedtray sized heated propagators for around £15, but they don't have thermostats. I've found you can stop seedlings overheating by sticking in an extra seed tray between the propagator and the tray with seeds in.

[wardy]

I got two!  You can leave the lid off to cool things down a bit, and lots of plants appreciate a bit of bottom heat to start them off.  I wouldn't be without them as I don't have an airing cupboard  :)

[tim]

Good point, wardy, that is something I've meant to throw in for weeks.

Nice idea too, Simon, about the double base. Equally it's helpful, for some purposes, to have thick capillary matting in the base & keep it supplied with water.

[fred]

Focus have a special on Sankey heated propergator for £14.99 with seed trays and capillary matting

Germination times have been half of last year

Only maintenance is to remove the lids once a day, wipe away condensation ans ensure matting is damp

Best buy so far this year  ;D

[wardy]

Be careful with the edges of the lids - they get broken very easily and then you lose heat  :(

[chrispea27]

lets get down to Wilkos

[sforsythe003]

I have a parafin heater but the pre pac parafin is expensive
what can i do

[wardy]

Here's the Bisto Yorkshire pudding container which I thought would make a smart propagator

It works too!   Have seedlings as of this morning.  They're French Marigolds to use for companion planting  :)