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However, on studying the excellent Gardener's Almanac planner:
QuoteHowever, on studying the excellent Gardener's Almanac planner: Thanks for the comments much appreciated!These pages might help:http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Seed%20sowing-indoors/Seed%20Sowing%20-%20Indoors.htmhttp://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Greenhouse%20heating/Greenhouse%20Heating.htm
But does the seed need additional heat beyond ambient (i.e. a heated propagator) when starting in the house?
QuoteBut does the seed need additional heat beyond ambient (i.e. a heated propagator) when starting in the house?A point about indoor temperatures is the fluctuations in temperature when the central heating automatically turns itself off / on this means periodic drops in temperature when in fact the seeds want continuous heat. This is a particular problem with seeds requiring high temperatures,but not so much with those that require lower temperatures to germinate.
Go to your local pound shop or Wilco's. You will find most of what you need there - IMO there is really no need for such an extensive (exPensive ) outlay as you have listed. It is easy to germinate seeds on damp kitchen tissues before transferring into modules or pots, more economical too. I use lidded plastic containers placed in a warm area (in my case on top of the bookcase in my living room as I don't have an airing cupboard!). Germination is usually quite fast and once little white tails appear they get planted into modules or 3" pots, depending on variety.Once planted, a small tip - fashion a backplate for the tray out of cardboard covered in aluminium foil. This helps prevent growth leaning towards the window.Tricia
Quote from: Tee Gee on March 24, 2017, 17:11:02QuoteBut does the seed need additional heat beyond ambient (i.e. a heated propagator) when starting in the house?A point about indoor temperatures is the fluctuations in temperature when the central heating automatically turns itself off / on this means periodic drops in temperature when in fact the seeds want continuous heat. This is a particular problem with seeds requiring high temperatures,but not so much with those that require lower temperatures to germinate.Tee Gee,Thanks for the tips, and I was also thinking about temperature variability. Our place has huge thermal mass (very old building, double glazing, thick walls- like a castle!) and also night storage heating. I must check and see how much the temperatures vary through the 24 hour cycle. We have an airing cupboard with lots of space for the "hot starters".Thanks for the compelling ideas,Dr. John
I would say OK for you in Saudi Arabia in fact I would imagine you wont even need the cylinder cupboard with temperatures like these.The only advantage of the cylinder cupboard would be for things that need quite high temperatures e.g Peppers, but even those will germinate at 21°C all it would mean is they might take a little longer to germinate.Having been to Saudi and being aware of the heat and humidity I would say a polythene cloche arrangement should work quite well outdoors.There are a few ideas here most of which could be produced on a DIY basis, if you put your mind to it.http://www.twowests.co.uk/category/cloches/plastic-clochesThen there are these which as I recall are plentiful in Saudi;http://www.twowests.co.uk/category/cloches/plastic-cloches