My current propagator

Hi there!

In my heated propagator I have 6 x Numex Twilight Chilli, 6 x Ringo Sweet Pepper, 6 x Poblano Chilli and 6 x Cayenne Chilli. They have been sown just over a week and some are very leggy already. I am wondering when I should remove them into an unheated propagator, as most of them have germinated. Is the main point of a heated propagator just to aid germination or do the seedlings need to be kept in there for a while? As soon as I can I intend to plant some Roma tomatos in the propogator.

Dave

 

Dave, the problem you are having is one that a lot of people come across, its easy to germinate the seeds in a propagator but not so easy to grow them on.
You really need a heated area to move your seedlings to, unheated is too early for peppers and the likes if your in a greenhouse, on a window sill would probably be OK, but I would guess a night temp. of at least 15 C will be needed with it rising to 20 C during the day and as much natural light as is possible.

 

I find Light is often the greater problem and tend to cover some card with foil and place it at the back of the plants facing the light as this stops them following the light and helps them to grow straight up. Also once germination has taken place I open the vents for a couple of days then take the cover off and use the propergater for bottom heat as they gradualy harden up. Inevitably in time you face a vast number of plants needing some heat and HTSBO gets a bit miffed when I keep suggesting shelves at all the spare room windows and a ban on visitors (over night type) until mid May.

 

OWG

What a great idea ! Did you work foe "Blue Peter" ?

TTFN