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Produce => Under Glass => Topic started by: jock_edin on March 15, 2005, 10:13:42

Title: home made propagator
Post by: jock_edin on March 15, 2005, 10:13:42

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

Title: Re: home made propagator
Post by: tim on March 15, 2005, 11:29:38

Otherwise, pay your money??

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

Title: Re: home made propagator
Post by: wardy on March 15, 2005, 12:42:49

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

Title: Re: home made propagator
Post by: simon404 on March 16, 2005, 15:30:27

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.

Title: Re: home made propagator
Post by: wardy on March 16, 2005, 16:05:14

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  :)

Title: Re: home made propagator
Post by: tim on March 16, 2005, 16:12:17

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.

Title: Re: home made propagator
Post by: fred on March 16, 2005, 22:02:01

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

Title: Re: home made propagator
Post by: wardy on March 16, 2005, 22:55:42

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

Title: Re: home made propagator
Post by: chrispea27 on March 17, 2005, 07:10:00

lets get down to Wilkos

Title: Re: home made propagator
Post by: sforsythe003 on March 24, 2005, 22:56:17

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

Title: Re: home made propagator
Post by: wardy on March 25, 2005, 13:27:40

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  :)