Topic: I WANT TO BUY A THERMO CONTROLLED PROPAGATOR FOR MY GREENHOUSE

[Duke Ellington]

I would like to invest in a good propagator for my greenhouse and one that will work effectively in a cold greenhouse. I want to be able dismantle or move it to storage in during the summer months because I need all the space for my tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, chillis etc.  I would like to add that my greenhouse is not used during the winter but when seedlings are sown the greenhouse is kept frost free. My aim is to sow my seeds in the greenhouse rather that cluttering up the house with trays and pots.

I have been looking online and came across this one
http://www.greenhousesensation.co.uk/propagators/vitopod-heated-propagators.html?gclid=CK3ih5btlLUCFe_MtAodNRQAhA

I would value your opinions and recommendations if you can suggest something better.

Duke

[Jayb]

I've got a Vitopod propagator and find it excellent and would happily recommend it. Temperature is always spot on and I love having the flexibility to add extra height if needed. Ventilation control is a doddle too. However I've only used mine in the house in an unheated room.

[davejg]

I've got one of these in mine for growing plants on, http://www.biogreen.de/en/propagation/propagators/jumbo/ (garland giant plus tray fits nicely inside). I use a couple of 52cm Basics for starting seeds them move them into this. If it comes real cold ALL the propagators have their own bubble wrap blanket & they all sit on polystyrene sheets covered in foil.

[Deb P]

I've also got this propogator, when I first got it I thought it was huge, but its amazing how long it was kept full. I like the fact it is high enough to fit rootrainers in, which means all my sweetcorn, sweet peas, peas and beans germinated much more quickly because I could fit them in it. The thermostat seems pretty accurate and you get good results. The only downside is if you have to place it indoors they are quite long and take up quite a bit of space, I am waiting to get electrics fitted to my greenhouse so haven't tried it in there yet but would be interested to hear from anyone who has used it in an unheated greenhouse.

You can dismantle the sides which are held together with little screws, but the base is in one piece with the thermostat and plug attached, so they do take up a bit of room.

[bridbod]

I've a Sankey Plantmaster 2000 which works just dandy. Not quite as swish as the Vitapod, think it was about £60 ish

[Tee Gee]

I was going to recommend a Parwin but noticed when I went to get you the link that they have sadly ceased trading, so I can't help I'm afraid;

http://www.parwinheatersukltd.co.uk/

[chriscross1966]

I've got an old one of these

http://www.brundlegardener.co.uk/products/25135__Jemp_Botanic_Electric_Prop_Jp5

It's got to be 20 years old and until last year was my only thermostatic... it has now been joined by a 6 foot by 3 foot snad bed with a 40 foot soil-warming cable and a thermostatic controller... I thouroughly recommend both.....

[Deb P]

For those if us that were wondering if we could use a heated Vitopod in an unheated greenhouse, I emailed the manufacturers and got this reply..


Thank you for your email.
The heated version of the Vitopod Propagator needs a power supply but will work in an unheated greenhouse. A lot of our customers buy the Vitopod so that they don't have to go to the expense of heating their greenhouse.

I hope that answers your question, but if you would like further advice please do get in touch.

Right, mine is going in the greenhouse this afternoon!