Heated propagators

[apples and pears]

This week after finding my seed freezing I decide to buy a heated propagator but didn't find one.
So I got a large tray and covered it in plastic, I used cocktail sticks as Columns to support the plastic canopy and plenty of masking tape, a 15W incandescent bulb to act as a heater, there goes my desk lamp.
I had to make a hole in the side for access.

I put in pumpkin seeds one germinated after 3 days. Yesterday I put in 4 Eruca vesicaria (insalata/Salad Rocket) seeds 24 hour later 3 of them are 1cm+ high and another pumpkin seed is pushing through.

The humidity is high and the temperature was 25 deg C for the first day then fell to 17/18 deg C.

If any one has any information on heated propagator or related items please share, I am impressed with the results. The pumpkin seed where out side for the past 2-3 weeks and the Salad Rocket seed where stored dried seeds.

[apples and pears]

I am still having problem with seed germination; so I made my own propagator.
 
I used a large clear plastic tub with a lid, an aquarium will aso do. Put a couple of holes either side for electrical cables feeding two 15W bulbs, not energy saving they run much cooler than the incandescent  ones. that’s it just add compost and seeds, the light bulbs provided the heat and some light. don't use any higher rated bulbs than 15W I fried my first lot.

once the seeds sprouted I am using my old aquarium light (my tub is 2 ft high) and putting in co2 using a sugar and yeast solution , it use to work wonders on my aquarium plants.

[MG]

don't use any higher rated bulbs than 15W I fried my first lot.

LOL good one!  You are supposed to wait till fully grown before you cook your veg 

MG

[apples and pears]

DIY Heated propagators

For one tub I am now using one 18w fluorescent tube I have left over from my old aquarium, the ends are splash proof, along with an aquarium heater placed in a water filled 1.5L plastic bottle (cut off the top just enough to fit in the heater) I place this in the middle of the tub and put the compost around it.

Closing the lid over the wires prevents the need for holes. I get the temperature up to 19-23 deg C.

I got zucchini to start germinating in 4 days which is quite fast from what I read but I have no idea if this applies for here, and lettuce in a similar time.


Hopefully this cold spell will end soon my basil seedling seem to be another casualty of the cold

[gomez99]

I know this is an old topic, but maybe somebody might be interested in a DIY heated propagator. This is the one I made form a plastic box, some sand, a heating cable from an old terrarium and a thermostat from a water heater. Works on 220V and can control temperatures from 17C to 35C.
http://ro.fotoalbum.eu/gomez99/a136779/00000017