Home Made Heated Propagator

organic_faerie

Hi,

I would really like a heated propagator to get certain seeds started off, however I can not afford most of the ones that are available for sale.

Instead my partner and I would like to have a go at making one of our own (ideally using salvaged material) and I wondered if anyone has ever made one before and if so how did they go about it.

My partner has studied electronics so should be more than capable to make one.

Thanks

floyd

You can make them really easily using any bog-standard propagator or any other tupperware box with drainage holes and put a snakes heat mat in it (can buy on EBay cheaply). If your partner is good with electronics, its pretty straightforward to wire in a thermostat to regulate the temp

ManAtHome

Metal tray on a few bricks with a 40w lightbulb underneath (possibly with a dimmer switch wired in. Made something very similar many years ago with a wooden box frame rather than the bricks.

You could also check out heating mats normally used for wine or beer-making Is that a "snakes heat mat"?)

floyd

ManAtHome wrote: »

You could also check out heating mats normally used for wine or beer-making Is that a "snakes heat mat"?)

hee hee yeah, technical term

Destined_to_be_skint

Oooh, this is interesting. Do these snake/beer heat mats plug in to a main socket or do they heat by some amazing new technology? (sorry to be dumb if it's the former!)

roosterpotatoes

Hi everyone,
I'm resurrecting this old thread because at present I have two unheated propagator's but would like them to be heated as I've got chilli's trying to grow in them at present.
It's been two weeks and there is no sign of life yet:(

Could someone please advise me how I could make them both heated with minimal cost please.

I'll be eternally greatful

kazschow

As a bit of an aside, how much water should you have in a heated propogator, should the carpillery matting just be moist, or should there be a fair bit? Help please, not shure if I am drowning or starving my seeds hehehe

roosterpotatoes

I've heard that if you water the soil before you plant the seeds, you shouldn't need to water it again before they seedlings appear.

Amarillo

I have bought one this year for a tenner but laat year had a homemade thing. I stuck a heated wheat bag or hot water bottle in my insulated picnic bag . Heated the bag every morning and the evening if I remembered. Didn't use it for chilli's but the things I did came up well.