Heated Propagator

[size=large]I have purchased a nice propagator from greenhouse sensation but having read lots of suggestions on the internet am a touch confused as to the use of lights and the temperature for growing seeds. [/size]

[size=large]For example do I have the lights on from the initial sowing and should the temperature be changed when the seeds start to sprout ???[/size]

[size=large]Any suggestions will be extremely welcomed.[/size]

[size=large]Cheers[/size]

[size=large]Nick [/size]

 

It depends on what you want to grow, I'm assuming its just edibles as you have posted in this section. Then it depends on what type of propagator you have bought, for example does it have a thermostat (temperature control) or not?

I have two different proagators without temp control and they work just fine for everything I need, including all flowers and edibles I wish to grow. I DO NOT use lights!

Maybe if you could tell us in more detail where your confused and what you wish to grow, you will get a little more help from members here.

Steve...

 

Varallo - for seeds in general ( I don't know anything about veg) they usually germinate better with heat. Its the heat that tells most seeds that spring has arrived and its time to get out of bed. Normally they don't need much light, although there are some seeds such as Salvias that do need light for germination.

Once the seeds have germinated the heat has done its job, and you can afford to remove them from the heat. But now they do need light. Too much heat and not enough light will make plants tall and weak and spindly.

So once seeds have germinated I would be inclined to remove them from the propagator (but not too quickly). This will then free up your propagator for the next batch.

 

The propagator is quite large - it is one metre long by 50cms wide and is thermostatically controlled .. I have made a structure above with two 36w neon tubes and am interested in growing all things edible from seed ..... mainly for my non heated nylon covered "greenhouse" like Tomatoes, peppers, lettuce and etc then after that other stuff for the rest of the allotment.

I have found some John Innes compost for seeds so am ready to start

What I don't understand is after the seeds germinate do I keep the heat on and should the lights be adjusted etc.

Thanks for your help

 

Varello - if you have a heated propagator with lights above - you have something something close to an artificial growing environment.

I have a box like that. It has a heated propagator with lights above in an enclosed space to reflect light back in. The conditions inside are close to a summer's day (in England at least) you have a high temperature and high light level. You can grow plants inside that all year round and you don't get the leggy problem, because your light levels are pretty high. You must water them and feed them of course. They will also need ventilation to prevent mould building up inside. The ventilation will also give them access to fresh carbon dioxide, which they need to grow. Under those comditions you can afford to keep the heat on, if you wish, and I would adjust the lights till they are just above the tops of the plants. This ensures that the plants get as much of the light as they can. As the plants grow taller you can raise the lights.

In my box I am growing things like Egyptian papyrus, Canna, Brugmansia and other tender plants, which would not be happy outside at the present. I will move them out of the box when a) they become too big, or b) its warm enough and light enough outside the box for them to survive or c) when I need the space to grow more things from seed - which is usually the main reason.

In your case you could keep growing the plants with the heat and the light for a long time. But because they need ventillation I would remove the top of the propagator - but you can still keep the heat on. There will become a time when you either want the space to raise more seeds, or you have somewhere else that is warm enough and light enough to put them. This might be a windowsill for tender plants, but more hardy ones will be able to go outside at some point.

 

[size=large] Many thanks Peter S and Steve R.
I really appreciate your time in replying together with advice and comments.

Be assured I will be back with the odd question, as time and plants go on.

 

If you have light available use it for seedlings, most especially at this time of year. Short, stocky, strong seedlings are far preferable to tall, elongated, light-seeking, weak seedlings :( (So called "leggy")

Make sure the light is not generating enough heat to burn the seedlings (a fluorescent tube needs to be within an inch of the seedlings, or even touching, whereas a Metal Halide light will generate enough heat to cook them at 12" - and is probably only safe at 18". The Metal Halide light has enough "strength" (lumens) to penetrate the canopy of plants, whereas fluorescent tubes don't - and thus do need to be only an inch away from the seedlings.

 

Thanks Kristen.
I fear I will not be able to get the fluorescent tubes as close as you advise due to the structure I have - so will just have to live with what comes up.

Many thanks for the time given to post a reply

 

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Two things that should make your propagator more efficient!

Put about a quarter of an inch of damp sand in the bottom tray of the propagator and keep it damp not sodden,this helps the transfer of heat to the seed tray(s) and keeps the atmosphere damp!

Also set the base on a piece of thick polystrene, this reflects the heat back into the propagator, not into the surface on which it is placed!

I have done this for a number of years with success!

Cheers!