Heated propagator

Discussion in 'Tools And Equipment' started by clueless1, Feb 8, 2012.

  1. clueless1

    clueless1 member... yep, that's what I am:)

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    I have another question for all you heated propagator veterans:)

    Mine's been plugged in for a couple of hours now, and is now home to loads of tiny pots which in turn are home to a load of seeds.

    I'm not convinced its doing anything. There are no lights or anything to indicate any activity, and when I put my finger in, it doesn't feel warm at all. Is that right? How do you know if they're working? Do I leave it plugged in permanently or switch it off when I go out and at bed time?
     
  2. Steve R

    Steve R Soil Furtler

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    All mine stay on 24/7. Propogators tends to be a gentle bottom heat and it's not always easy to feel if they are working or not.

    Put a thermometor inside it to check, or do as I have done in the past, put hand in freezer then in propogator on the base. You should then notice the diffenece and the warmth.

    Steve...:)
     
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    • HarryS

      HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

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      Clueless as Steve said props can be left on 24 hours. If it is a low powered one with no thermostat control it will raise the temperature of the seed trays by about 5°c. So it is a very low bottom heat source. use a thermometer take the ambient room temp and then lie it on your prop for about 30 minutes , you should see a difference . :thumbsup:
      When you do get it going the important temp is the actual soil temperature, I have a probe type alcohol thermometer for this. The soil temp can usually get to 25-26° , if I put a bit of bubble wrap under the seed tray the temp is around 22° , and if the seed tray is in the room 18-20°. So you can achieve 3 temperature areas. Now if all this faffing about makes a gods bit of difference who knows :D
       
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      • capney

        capney Head Gardener

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        I bottom mine with a layer of sand. Not sure if it helps but it seems to manitain moisture very well and the odd seed / plant has propagated in the sand.
        22W left on 24/7. At the moment its so cold in the conservatory its just protecting some overwintering tenders that will be out soon as its time for some seeds.
         
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        • JWK

          JWK Gardener Staff Member

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          Clueless, you should be able to feel the warmth after a couple of hours using your fingers, touch the bottom of the tray.
           
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          • clueless1

            clueless1 member... yep, that's what I am:)

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            I guess it must be working. I can't feel any warmth, but the lid has misted up so it must be doing ok I guess.
             
          • HarryS

            HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

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            If its misting all is OK :dbgrtmb:
             
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            • JWK

              JWK Gardener Staff Member

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              Yes I agree with Harry, it must be working :)
               
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              • Kristen

                Kristen Under gardener

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                I have to leave my hand (I use back of my hand) on mine for a while - 30 seconds to a minute - before I can feel the heat. Its not like touching something that is "hot" so-to-speak.
                 
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                • clueless1

                  clueless1 member... yep, that's what I am:)

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                  If the heat is so slight that its imperceptible, do they actually make any significant difference to germination rates?
                   
                • Kristen

                  Kristen Under gardener

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                  Dunno about things that are "harder to germinate" - maybe they need a more sophisticated propagator, but my simple no-thermostat low-wattage windowsill propagators definitely make a difference to germination of Vegetable seeds. Prior to that I put them in pans (stubby-pots), in a plastic bag, on the windowsill (house central heating is pretty consistent 24/7 as I work from home). The propagator got me slightly faster germination, but much more consistent - which made pricking out easier.
                   
                • PeterS

                  PeterS Total Gardener

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                  Clueless - yes I think even a small temperature rise will make a difference. My propagator raises the temperature about 5C above the ambient. It could take 6 or more weeks for outside temperature to rise that much - so that gives you a 6 week start. But if the propagator is inside the house when its still freezing outside, the start can be even more.

                  I have already germinated Canna seeds this year and the seedlings are now about 3 inches high. I could never have done that without extra heat.

                  Last year Kristen germinated some Canna seeds early with extra light - they also flowered, went to seed and died whilst it was still frosty outside. :heehee:
                   
                • Kristen

                  Kristen Under gardener

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