Unheated propagators

SkeeterUK

SkeeterUK

SkeeterUK

Soldato
Joined
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Just wondering if anyone could help me use a unheated propagator. As last year i bought one from asda for a few quid and it was terrible to get seeds to germinate. Tomato seeds did ok but nothing else. Even then the tomato seeds were ages to germinate and didnt grow too good from seed (better when repotted).

I thought i did it right by spraying the soil and the top of the lid on the inside and keep it in the dark (light as well but didnt help either) and thats about it. Soil stayed pretty moist to almost maybe too wet but well anyhow thats what i did.

Any tips if anyone else uses em would be great as i have a lot of seeds to germinate this weekend and id like to use the propagator but im thinking i dont wana waste the seeds (£11 quid all together) and might just use pots which usually work.
 
Make sure the seeds are the right way up, make sure they aren't too deep or wet.

You could try germinating on moist tissue paper in the dark and then planting once they sprout, eliminating the duds. Soon as there are leaves get the light on.

Why would pots work but not in a prop? Sounds odd.
 
I've got two propagators that I've used to germinate Tomatoes, Aubergines, Courgettes, two types of chillies and some flowering plants.

The propagators are on the windowsill in my bedroom above a radiator at around 20-25 deg.

You cant go tremendously wrong with sowing seeds as long as you don't over-water, sow too deep or try to grow them in place that is too cold.

The Tomatoes, Aubergines and the flowering plants have been successful and are now on a light windowsill in another warmish room.

The chillies are taking a little longer but theyre getting there. The courgettes I only planted the other day.

Go for it I say! What is it that you will be sowing?
 
All a propagator does is provide warm, moist environments for the seeds to develop. With an unheated one, it's up to you to make sure it's at the right temperature which is done by putting it in the airing cupboard, then moving to a window sill with a radiator.

A propagator helps because most of the warm places we have available (radiators, airing cupboards) also tend to be very dry. The lid of the propagator catches water when it evapourates, and lets it drip back down onto the compost. If you're starting plants in a dry place without one, you're facing a constant battle making sure that the small amount of compost doesn't dry out.

Wether you'll benefit from one entirely depends on the conditions you're growing in. If you're getting better results without using one, then don't use one.
 
Early Jalapenos chillie
Pink Brandywine (improved) toms
Cherokee Purple toms
Micro Toms
Apache chillie

Few other bits and pieces possibly. But the above i bought from http://www.nickys-nursery.co.uk/ For £11 posted (free pack of seeds which i got carrots) So if i use the propagator i dont want to waste the seeds.

Which is why im after instructions on how to use one. I bought some seed somit or other soil from asda today for 3 quid, i have the propagator i just not sure on instructions really on how to use it as it didnt come with instructions.
 
I bought 2 heated propagators from B&Q last week - they were on special offer at under £10.

I planted some old Leaf Lettuce seeds in them yesterday, and they are already starting to germinate today (just over 24 hours) - hopefully I will have home grown indoor lettuce by mid April ;)

Can't say I had any real problems over the last few years using propagators - just make sure the compost/soil you are usimg to germinate the seeds has the correct composition - and its acid/alkali content is spot on as some seeds are especially picky with soil ph (usually if it's too acidic). And as was said, the propogator is simply to get the seeds started - nothing else. You shouldn't even really need to spray the seeds/soil - as the air humidity in the enclosed unit should keep the soil moist enough (unless you are venting them too much - in which case you are drying them out and possibly killing them just as they are starting to sprout)
 
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Ok ive put some seed soil in 5 of the trays compartments fully used a chopstick to make 1cm holes or there abouts maybe bit less. Popped in 5 apache seeds and covered gently then made sure it was all sorted by gently making sure the covering soil was firm with the rest of the soil. Next i sprayed each of em with well a spray bottle i had from last year from wilkcos. Their wet now after say 4 sprays each, it didnt look soaked to me. So i guess now is the waiting game.

Any tips on when to water would be great or do i not do anymore sprays of water on em till they have popped out of the soil and got their baby leaves?

Some pics hopefully explain better the stuff im using.

The propagator


The airing/boiler cupboard, notice the storage jar, thats my paper towel method try i moved it in there tonight to see how it does in there as before was in kitchen on one of the sides. The prop doesnt look level but it is its just the camera position.


The seed soil stuff.
 
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Looks good!

I probably would have wet the soil through first and then left it to settle before putting the seeds in. Just to make sure that the soil will be wet enough for the future and because it tends to compact when wet and sinks within the pot/container.

But I don't think you will have too much of an issue. Just make sure the soil keeps moist until the seedlings appear. In a propagator the soil will stay wet much longer than it would on a windowsill for example, so you should be ok!

:)
 
I was worried my flat was too cold even the airing cupboard/boiler cupboard might not warm enough or whatever so i bought a heated propagator from B&Q today, thought it would have been a tenner as saw it on hotukdeals site but it wasnt reduced so payed 13.50 or somit.

I thought it might be small but its not too bad size wize, it feels well made and good materials so hopefully it was a good investment. I have it on my bedroom windowsill atm as couldnt find anywhere else to put it.

I have planted 3 cherokee purple tomato seeds in and 5 early jalapeno seeds in.

It is 8w the propagator i hope thats enough.

I watered the soil first then made some small holes with tip of a pen i had lying around about 1cm or a bit less which i hope is about right depth. Then covered with some dry seed soil and then patted it every so gently then gave it a spray on the new dry soil i put on to cover seeds. Poped in the propagator and switch it on and covered (the air vent is closed which i presume is the right thing to do).

 
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