Making a cheap heated propagator

Primrose

I sowed my chillis & peppers about 10 days ago but suspect that even indoors, the compost temperature may be a little low for them so have just made up a free heated propagator which I hope will help.

I've got one of those large clear plastic boxes with lids that you can buy from Poundland and other cheap outlets and put a wrapped hot water bottle in the base, with my containers of seeds on top and then put the lid on the box. Within an hour I'd noticed that the temperature inside the box had risen quite a lot and I hope that by refilling the hot water bottle every 12 hours, this should generate enough heat to boost my seed germination. The hot water bottle doesn't necessarily have to be on the base of the box - it could be slotted in upright if space requirements makes that more convenient. The closed box will also protect my germinating seeds from any lower night time temperatures on a window sill.

ginvzt

I have sown some marigolds on Sunday and put them on the fishtank (lid) - never thought of using this as a propagator, but was running out of space. I couldn't believe, when I came home yesterday, that 19 out of 24 were out already! I moved them to the windowsill last night, and another 3 were out by this morning.

I have moved my aubergines 'Rosa Bianca' to the fishtank now, as this is my second sowing and nothing is coming through yet!!!!

soupdragon10

Thanks ginvzt - I hadn't thought of this either. Can sit seed trays on top of my snake vivariums where the heat lamps are and that should warm the soil up nicely. Hadn't thought of using there before but it should do the trick. :T

ginvzt

soupdragon10 wrote: »

Thanks ginvzt - I hadn't thought of this either. Can sit seed trays on top of my snake vivariums where the heat lamps are and that should warm the soil up nicely. Hadn't thought of using there before but it should do the trick. :T

I only found out this by chance myself - and I have to say, that the tray was nicely warm when I lifted it yesterday!

peppa-pig

Big thanks to Ginvzt for the fish tank lid tip!! Popped my chillis on there the other day and this moring i was very excited to discover 6 of the 20 seeds i planted a few days ago have started to grow!!
woooooooo!!

alanobrien

The top of a radiator works very nicely as well. When my props are full i often put seeds in plastic cups then into ice cream tubs (two small boys have lots :-)) and balance these on the rads. It works well for me.