Hiya folks. I’m thinking of buying one of these... Geopod Heated Propagators at Suttons Seeds It seems like a neat way of starting off and growing on seed/seedlings. I know I could probably set up something cheaper, but this just seems a bit more...elegant/compact. Anyone here got one? Any thoughts?
Very expensive, and probably very restrictive: 1) I have 6 x Sankey Plantmaster 2000 50w thermastatically controlled propagators, overall size 22.5 x 15", so an approx. pro-rata comparison would be that mine are 0.148w/square inch, and the smallest one in your link (37 watts. External dimensions 25 x 17") is only 0.087w/square inch, a whopping 41% less output than my propagators (which are discontinued and much sought after). So I reckon a thermostaticaly controlled heat may might be more cost effective. 2) Their design incorporates a cover over the entire propagator base. I rarely/never find that usefull with a propagator filled with all sorts of stuff and all sorts of stages of germination. If something requires covering it'll be clingfilm/poly bags over single pots or half seed trays with matching propagator tops over. 3) There appears to be so much wrong with the lights that I don't know where to start, such as no information regarding: a) Type of tube? b) Output? c) Colour temperature? d) Independant timer/on off control? 4) Efficiency compared to enclosed 'growbox': " their nanotech enhanced reflector that reflects 99.9% of previously lost light" That appears to be nonsense, as you can't achieve that level of reflected light even with a fully enclosed grow box/tent lined with diamond pattern Mylar sheet.
A little more info here, fwiw... Geopod Propagators with Grow Lights Reviewed Possibly these? Seed Starting
Nonsense, that site is just trying to get commision on sales. The lights would only cost £8 from ebay (I've just bought four x 600 LED tube light fittings for £16.95 delivered), and I'll check what I paid last year for my large (1.2 x 0.6m) thermostatically controlled heat mat, but I think it was £60 max., but it was substantially cheaper than from the manufacturer's own website, something like 20% or more cheaper.
Which is why I said “fwiw”. The thing is, I have a large (1m) propagator and I also have grow lights (500w total) but it would be a lot of messing about setting it up, not to mention costly to run. When I used it before, it was in a greenhouse that was a lot bigger than the one I currently have, and being made of wood, the lighting was very secure when hung over the propagator. I could place this pretty much anywhere with no need to hang the lighting. I would use this for mainly sowing/growing on Chillis and Tomatoes, so not too diverse? I just like it’s compactness... Btw, what do you use for an enclosure? (<scrap that, just re-read your earlier post)
Are they the same as these? (Not physically, but functionally) https://www.amazon.co.uk/Grow-Light...320&sr=8-1&keywords=t5+ho+light+grow+lighting
They should be arriving tommorow, to be used in a new cool LED lit diamond Mylar lined growbox in my shed. I already have a T5 8 tube growbox indoors and another in my greenhouse, in which I use my Plantmaster propagators. If impressed with those 4 lights I'll get a load more T5 LED INTEGRATED TUBE LAMP LIGHT 5W 9W 600MM 300MM COOL WHITE 6000K WARM WHITE | eBay Mylar sheet lining to walls Silver DIAMOND Mylar reflective sheeting film roll hydroponics grow 2 to 100m | eBay Polythene sheet lining to base BLACK and WHITE Mylar reflective sheeting film roll hydroponics grow kit 2 x 2m: Amazon.co.uk: Garden & Outdoors With the 4 x 2 foot heatmat inside, and a further 3 x 2 feet area just under lights, it should provide avmassive 14 square feet of indoor growbox space. P.S. I haven't finalised the cheapest Mylar and plastic sheet yet.
Excuse my ignorance, but are those actually suitable for growing? BTW, thanks for taking the time to respond
I use 4 of the large heated Propagators and 7 of the same size, unheated, propagators for all my seedlings which basically take over one of my South facing Bedrooms........and they work reliably and with no problems.
Indoor growbox. It was just the same size on plan as lights above, but was extended at the front to provide illuminated but non-heated areas. The one in my greenhouse becomes operational in March, when I turn the gas heating on and start moving stuff from indoors in there. The indoors and greenhouse growboxes just have plywood sides, but my new shed growbox will have insulated sides & top.
