Heated propagator recommendations

digitalphase

...please

I have some tomato, chilli and something else (!!!) seeds in the house at the moment but they are showing no sign of doing anything. Think I sowed them about 2 weeks ago. Haven't watered them much, but they haven't seemed to dry out really. Not sure if it's been warm enough.

Was thinking of getting a heated propagator and giving that a go. Or is it too late for these seeds?

Want a fairly cheap one, but a reasonable sized one

[Deleted User]

I have a sankey with a thermostat and a very cheap one without. Both have a layer of sand in the bottom. The cheap one was from b and q and is ok but can `cook` the seeds as it is always on, even when the sun shines in. The 52" sankey one is far and away better and very temperature accurate but about 4 times the price and the lid is nice and high

digitalphase

kittie wrote: »

I have a sankey with a thermostat and a very cheap one without. Both have a layer of sand in the bottom. The cheap one was from b and q and is ok but can `cook` the seeds as it is always on, even when the sun shines in. The 52" sankey one is far and away better and very temperature accurate but about 4 times the price and the lid is nice and high

Thanks Kitty, I was looking at this one http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Sankey-Gro-Warm-100-Heated-Propagator-Seed-Plant-Tray-/300535660379?pt=UK_Home_Garden_GardenEquipment_HandTools_SM&hash=item45f9523f5b

Is it similar to yours? Not too bad a price.

smk77

digitalphase wrote: »

Thanks Kitty, I was looking at this one http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Sankey-Gro-Warm-100-Heated-Propagator-Seed-Plant-Tray-/300535660379?pt=UK_Home_Garden_GardenEquipment_HandTools_SM&hash=item45f9523f5b

Is it similar to yours? Not too bad a price.

I got a 'cheap' B&Q branded propagator a few years. It looks identical to the Sankey one in the ebay link (the orange vent). The Sankey one kittie has mentioned has a thermostat so is not the same as the one on ebay.

I've never had a problem with the seeds being cooked. They're about £14 at B&Q now.

digitalphase

I know, but wondered if it was similar otherwise.

I guess I do really need a thermostat on it or there's not much point.

Oh I remember what else I sowed - baby cucumbers :cool:

digitalphase

I think I might get this one http://www.notcutts.co.uk/Heat-Grow-52cm-Propagator/pid-00124818

It's a bit more than I wanted to spend but got a good range of temperatures, and think it will be worthwhile. I can go and pick this one up as well.

Farway

digitalphase wrote: »

Oh I remember what else I sowed - baby cucumbers :cool:

I hope you have more seed as it is too early and they may well rot away [damp off] before it is suitable to plant outside Mid May

qurious

http://www.lakeland.co.uk/browsebycatalogue?c=11_garre There is an electric propagator on page 12 of lakeland garden for £30.99 which looks like it may be good.

foxgloves

I use a small cheapo one from Homebase or Focus, can't remember which, but it was £14.99 and my tomatoes, peppers, chillies & cucumbers are started off in that. When they are just starting to get their 1st set of true leaves, they come out & go on the windowsill. Then into a colder room, then off down to the greenhouse. It seems to work well & definitely gets them going quicker with higher germination rates of some things too.

alanobrien

Unless your into growing tropical plants that need higher temperatures to germinate any of the cheap props will be fine. Few if any will go above 25c which is good enough for most seeds.

Other alternatives are heat mats, vivarium heat mats are relatively cheap and i also use a couple of these for seeds.

Jake'sGran

i have sown some seeds in the house in small pots and then in polythene bags and put them near a radiator. All have germinated except the ones I wanted most i.e. Cosmos Purity which should be easy but they are saved seeds from last year. You can get seeds to germinate without a propogator but they do need warmth.

My propogator is in the potting shed and I discovered it cost about £45. It was not worth it but I do use it (a gift from my daughter). Like foxgloves, I move the seedlings on as they get bigger/more robust.
I have done chillies, cherry tomatoes, zinnia and other flowers. Hoping for the best!