DIY Propagator

Having managed to acquire a couple of fully working 50cm x 30cm Sankey variable heated propagators from our local car boot early this year for £5 the pair, a true bargain. This setting me thinking about making my own large version.
So I started trawling freecycle for a couple of items. When I managed to get my hands on a 2.4mtr x 70cm exterior florists sign (my wife did think I'd lost it at this point), half a dozen decking boards, and a massive pieces of visqueen sheeting the plan was formed. I managed to get a full piece of clear twin wall that would form the top, by asking a local conservatory builder if he had any off cuts, to which he said not, but for a supply of chillies he'd let me have a sheet.
I knew I'd have to buy somethings to make it, so eBay provided a winning auctions for a 20mtr soil heater cable (£16.11), and a thermostatic controller (£8.88). A trip to B&Q for some sharp sand (£6) to bury the cable in, also provide me with a off cut of marine grade ply (£1.20) that would cut to form the two angled ends.
So for a cost of £41.19 I am now the proud owner of a 2.5mtr long heated soil propagator, with fully variable heat control.

 

Cheers John, always knew that my skip rat skills would be useful at some point!
It worked great this year, and now with the full extra space of the big tunnel it will be brilliant. I can get 1000+ seedlings plugs up and running in no time. Crazy times ahead. Thinking of adding a small extractor unit connected to the thermostat (although would need to swap it for a heating and cooling version) to keep the temperature stable. I can bring up to any temperature I need, however mother nature then kicks in with a little sun (it's house in an outbuilding with loads of sun light), and the temperature can go a little wild seen 50c+ which would be a problem with a full load. I also have the micro irrigation kit to put a couple of micro misters in, probably on a timer. Try it manually this year which worked well.

 

GC has another genius in the making methinks,
I do love to see these wonderful Heath Robinson prototypes.
Amazing Chillimad,

 

Too much time on my hand some may say!
Wait until I get my phone activated remote watering system working! That will be a giggle!

 

And could you get it to regulate heat input - in your abscence? Should it turn sunny or cloud up?

 

Excellent job there Chillimad Love the skip rat quote
Keep us informed of your progress next year when you crank it up. I presume Chillies will be major item in there

 

Yeah chillies will be the earliest starters in it, but it's got pottential for getting so much off to a flying start
Fingers crossed