Electric propagators

Denno666

Can anyone recommend any heated propagators?

There's one, Garland Super 7 windowsill propagator that claims to have a thermostat control, but some reviews say it doesn't - does anyone know?

A._Badger

Denno666 wrote: »

Can anyone recommend any heated propagators?

There's one, Garland Super 7 windowsill propagator that claims to have a thermostat control, but some reviews say it doesn't - does anyone know?

It has a thermostat but not a controllable one. In other words, it runs to a fixed temperature which you can't adjust. That said, they work quite well for most subjects.

Denno666

I'm new to gardening and was wondering is there any benefit to having a thermostat?

A._Badger

Denno666 wrote: »

I'm new to gardening and was wondering is there any benefit to having a thermostat?

I have both types and both work. Despite the 'I germinate everything on the kitchen windowsill - why bother?' brigade, some seeds do prefer different temperatures to germinate and when you are dealing with expensive seed, or trying to work with limited supplies, you really need to get the conditions as close to ideal as you can.

That said, for most purposes, providing you get newly germinated seedlings out from the heat pretty quickly, a non-adjustable one will be absolutely fine, especially for a beginner, who is going to be growing pretty standard varieties.

pawsies

we use the airing cupboard for our seeds that prefer warmer temperatures

sussexbaker

I posted a similar request a little while ago. In my research almost every 'cheap' propagator either simply raises the internal temperature by X above the ambient, or will attempt to keep it at Y. The cheapest genuinely variable one I could find was the Stewart Premium one, which cost about £70. If you're willing to you could use a combination of a heating pad and adjustable thermostatic control but not sure how easily you could do it cheaper.

Leif

As said elsewhere, I have cheap Sankey and B&Q heated propagators. They are both made by Sankey, the B&Q cost £10. Temperature can be regulated easily enough, by placing it in warmer or cooler places, with a cheap thermometer inside (not resting on the base, but raised above it), to measure the temperature. I use it for chilli and tomato seeds, which require ~24 Celcius.

Foxy0810

I have a big heated propagator which I bought from wilkos my tomato seeds have been in it 3 days and are sprouting well worthy buy and not too expensive you can't amend the temp but my seeds don't seem to mind

Denno666

Went into our local Wilkos today but they only had the plastic ones (the ones that you can bend very easily). I think I'll give up on the thermostat idea, and go for a cheap heated one - maybe in a few years, if all goes well (and I move somewhere with room for one) I could even get an actual greenhouse, instead of my plastic one which keeps falling down.....:)

forgotmyname

After seeing several recall notices for the electric propagators its put me off.

Alternatives?

annie123

I have one of these : http://www.wilkinsonplus.com/garden-propagators/stewart-propagator-electric-52cm/invt/0276823?VBMST=propagators

It's a good size with a high roof so useful with or with the heating on. They sell a smaller one too.

Recall notices happen on most things, cars, fridges, washing machines etc but that doesn't stop people from buying them so don't let it put you off buying one.
It's not something that's needed, but it does make life easier not having to put stuff on top of the boiler or the back of the top of the fridge etc to get seeds to germinate quicker or earlier.