New electric propagator, liner?

aliasojo

This gardening lark is beginning to take over my life! Still no clue what I'm doing but learning all the time and enjoying it nonetheless.

So, I bought an electric propagator. The instructions say I can either use the included seed trays for putting the seeds into compost or I can put gravel in the base and stand pots on that.

I'd rather use the fibre pots I have already, so would prefer to use the gravel/pot method but I'm assuming the gravel will scratch heck out of the plastic base and will make it look really shoddy really quickly. (I realise it's for using and isn't an ornament but I'd like to look after it as best I can.)

Is there something suitable I can line the base with that wont interfere with the heat transmission?

Sally_A

Mine has a black mat in the bottom, unsure of the technical term of what it's made of, but it's a bit like those flat green scourers you can get.

Newspaper or sand should also do the job.

valk_scot

I put capilliary matting in the base of my propagator. You buy it off the roll in the garden centre and it's not expensive. If you've got that you don't need gravel and it works very well with fibre pots.

aliasojo

Thank you both.

I have some capilliary matting from another non-electric propagator, I'll use that.

Jake'sGran

My daughter bought me an electric propagator,
the type with six plastic containers that sit side by side. I think it is too hot for growing seeds. There is no thermostat.

The ones I have grown in little pots sealed in plastic bags and placed on a small table near the radiator and with a low energy light shining on them have done really well this year.

In the propagator I have had to find a way to make the individual trays have less contact with the base.

I used the fibre pots many years ago but found they dry out very quickly. Its great that you are taking to gardening. When you think that beautiful large plants can be grown from minute seeds - it's awe inspiring. Don't give it up!

Try both ways of propagating, pots on gravel or the trays and see which gives the best result.

aliasojo

I got one with a thermostat so hopefully it should regulate the heat and not shrivel my poor wee seeds up.

It's the front windows of our house that get the sun, and those are the ones that I can't really sit pots on, for various reasons. So I was struggling a wee bit for suitable space.

It's wet here today so going to have an indoor seed sowing / potting on afternoon.

Sally_A

Wet??? where are you?, scorching down here, shorts on (must shave my legs ).

PS. could do with a bit of rain, preferrably overnight.

aliasojo

Highlands of Scotland.

We had a good day yesterday but that's been about it.

Forecast is better for Monday I believe.