Small thermostatically controlled propagator...

Could any of you good folk recommend a small,as in the regular seed tray sized TC propagator please

I do have a couple of large propagators but need a small one for keeping certain seedlings at a lower temperature ie..Kelsae onions..

TIA

 

It would have to be Stewart, there aren't many different ones to choose from, also the temp inside will vary according to the ambient temperature.

 

I didn't want to be the first prophet of doom, but after buying much larger much larger adjustable propagators for years, anything smaller than a Sankey Plantmaster 2000, now unavailable, and which had variable temperature controls and is has been discontinued

I never found anything better that was smaller, only the larger ones had higher specs.

 

Hi Loli what about a heat mat , plus side by raising with sand you can control the temperature, but fiddly to start to get it right but useful

they have on Amazon but I know lots to choose from , ask on here any recommendations

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hydrofarm-19-5in-Watts-Seedling-MT10006/dp/B0001WV010

 

I was also wondering about the likes of small thermostatically controlled vivarium mats sitting under seed trays, but not having actually used them was waiting for somebody else to suggest.

 

It might be worth looking at Two Wests & Elliotts website too, Loli. Their systems can be tailor-made to suit...
I had three or four of the Taylors propagators over the years but none of them lasted for more than three seasons

 

cor thats not long I have had my sankey 15 years and still like new , but as soon as I have finished using it it gets a good clean and back in the original box and put away in the garage out of harms way including any frost etc

 

What Sankey propagator is that? I've found my 5 Sankey variable temperature control Plantmaster 2000s that were about £65 each extremely useful with a knob to set temps rather than something that will simply heat it up to X deg above room temps.

 

I have the same one Plantmaster 2000 that also has a knob , I was working out its older than 15 years it could be 20, it was £35.00 and at the time thought thats a lot , can you still get them ?

 

Just thinking outside the box a bit, if you can't find an actual propagator to suit, how about going down the chucky egg incubator route. i believe they are very precisely temperature controlled.

http://www.theincubatorshop.co.uk/products/details/novital-7-manual-incubator.html

EDIT: Just realised, probably a daft idea. Might be too warm, too expensive, and wont let enough light in.

 

"Just thinking outside the box a bit"

Is that the egg box then

 

Believe me, I looked after mine too, but the heating elements conked out after three seasons or so. When I dismantled one to find out why, it was so poorly made that it was a wonder they lasted that long!
Last year I invested in a high-top alu / polycarbonate case from Two Wests & Elliott and built my own using a heating cable. At least if the cable gives up the ghost, it's easily replaced....

 

Sadly discontinued a couple of years ago, can't understand why as I think they were/are one of the best adjustable temp propagators I've ever used. They appear on ebay and sell from between £10 collected and up to £40 delivered. I'm looking for another cheap local collect one, despite already having 5 of them.


One on Gumtree in Kent for £25 http://www.gumtree.com/p/plants-flo...0-electronic-variable-propagation./1089254292

 

More expensive, better quality ones work differently and will maintain a fairly constant temperature, but the only better quality ones I've found have been large ones.

 

I must have had my Plantmaster for at least 20 years. Still gives good service but the lid is not as clear as it used to be.
For a small versatile propagator I don't think you can do much better than making your own using soil warming cable and sand, add a rod thermostat and you can set a precise temperature. I made one last year using a small plunge tray and a 10' 37 watt cable. It was brilliant for all my Chrysanthemum cuttings.