|
|
Post by ladybird on Jan 29, 2016 16:02:08 GMT
Come to think of it I might make some of them myself this year for my heated windowsill propagaters. A heated windowsill propagater would be a good investment for you KC I`ve had 2 of mine for about 10 years
|
|
|
|
Post by KC on Feb 11, 2016 11:54:38 GMT
KC I hope your not sowing your tom and pepper seeds outside  far too cold . If you really HAVE to sow them now a warm windowsill would be better.You can put a piece of cardboard covered with tinfoil at the inner end of the windowsill, this helps to reflect more light to the plants. oh love this tip, thank you so much  well yesterday evening I finally got round to sowing my tomato, chilli and pepper seeds... indoors as you say ladybird it's far too cold outside yet. At the moment they are on the dining room table although I think it was roofgardener who suggested putting them in the hot press (if I can create some space)
Love the cardboard/tin foil tip though, decisions decisions 
|
|
|
|
Post by KC on Feb 11, 2016 11:56:11 GMT
Come to think of it I might make some of them myself this year for my heated windowsill propagaters. A heated windowsill propagater would be a good investment for you KC I`ve had 2 of mine for about 10 years I have been wondering about heated propagators, I'm not sure about size, costs etc, need to look into it more as I know basically nothing about them. |
|
|
|
Post by SueA on Feb 11, 2016 19:56:12 GMT
You don't need to spend a fortune on one KC, I've got one which I've had years & I think it cost about £15, it's nothing fancy & doesn't have a temperature control or anything, just a vent on top which you open during the day & close at night, but it works. They don't cost a lot to run & you only need to keep the pots or trays in them until the seeds germinate. |
|
|
|
Post by roofgardener on Feb 11, 2016 20:51:16 GMT
SueA.. a heated propagator - albeit without a thermostat - for £15 ? You got a BARGAIN !
|
|
|
|
Post by SueA on Feb 12, 2016 8:30:52 GMT
This is the kind I've got KC & roofgardener , I have had mine years - probably about 10 & it still works - I hope! Stewart Electric PropagatorI have another one which has several little propagators on a long tray for a windowsill but I've no idea where that is since we've moved, probably in the garage somewhere, I think I won that in a competition years ago. |
|
|
|
Post by KC on Feb 12, 2016 10:07:19 GMT
Oh that sounds the business. I might just have to invest in a few of those!!
|
|
|
|
Post by roofgardener on Feb 12, 2016 12:03:41 GMT
Well, I think it IS excellent. Good find !  | You can "fake" a 'sort-of' thermostatic control with one of these inexpensive mains timers (this is what I do with my heater wires).
They cost £2-£3, and by fiddling with the "on/off" times, you can "sort-of" control the temperature inside the propagator. (by making in turn on for 5 minutes every hour... or 15 minutes... or whatever).
|
What I do is a bit different.... I have a "soil warming wire", which is about 3m long (you can get them MUCH longer, if you prefer).
It's a wee plastic cable, with a mains plug on the end.
When you plug it in, the wire gets warm. (probably around 20-30 degrees ? You can hold it in your hand without discomfort)
I loop the cable under a row of seed trays, and back again. A lot of the heat is lost into the bench, but a lot goes upwards into the plastic seed trays, and warms the soil.
I can get the soil up to around the 15 degrees mark quite easily, or less if I 'pulse' it using the above timer widgit.
The cables look a bit like the picture opposite.
They ARE expensive... around £20 for a 3m one. BUT... they are long enough to cater to 3 or 4 of Wilko's "large" size seed trays. (see below)
|  |  |  |
So.... Soil Warming wire - £20 Mains timer - £3.00 4 x Wilko's large gravel tray - £4.00 4 x Transparant Lids - £6.00 Grand total: £33 And that - in effect - makes FOUR heated propagators. You can also wind the heater wire around a round (or square) plantpot (either internally or externally) to keep THAT warm ! And of course, you can also put the last few centimeters into your tea mug, to keep your tea warm whilst you are potting ! |
|
|
|
Post by KC on Feb 12, 2016 13:19:51 GMT
lol roofgardener I knew you were being too sensible - then I got to the cup of tea part |
|
|
|
Post by daitheplant on Feb 12, 2016 20:10:23 GMT
lol roofgardener I knew you were being too sensible - then I got to the cup of tea part He is not joking KC.  |
|
|
|
Post by roofgardener on Feb 12, 2016 21:20:51 GMT
Why do people think I'm joking ?  Tea is IMPORTANT ! Who wants a COLD cup of tea ?  Sometimes, I just don't understand you people !  |
|
|
|
Post by dianthus on Feb 12, 2016 22:15:43 GMT
Why do people think I'm joking ? Tea is IMPORTANT ! Who wants a COLD cup of tea ? Sometimes, I just don't understand you people ! Tea is a poor use of a camellia bush! I can't stand the smell of it, and it's even worse when stewed! 
Sorry for thread hijack KC 
|
|
|
|
Post by daitheplant on Feb 13, 2016 19:48:11 GMT
Why do people think I'm joking ? Tea is IMPORTANT ! Who wants a COLD cup of tea ? Sometimes, I just don't understand you people ! Tea is a poor use of a camellia bush! I can't stand the smell of it, and it's even worse when stewed!
Sorry for thread hijack KC
The bush isn`t used Di, only the leaves. As I am allergic to coffee, what beverage do you suggest I drink?   |
|
|
|
Post by roofgardener on Feb 13, 2016 20:19:30 GMT
Tea is a poor use of a camellia bush! I can't stand the smell of it, and it's even worse when stewed!
Sorry for thread hijack KC
The bush isn`t used Di, only the leaves. As I am allergic to coffee, what beverage do you suggest I drink?  |
|
|
|
Post by dianthus on Feb 13, 2016 20:27:06 GMT
I fancy you've had a drop or two of vinegar, as your wit is so sharp, Dai ( daitheplant )  |
|
far too cold . If you really HAVE to sow them now a warm windowsill would be better.You can put a piece of cardboard covered with tinfoil at the inner end of the windowsill, this helps to reflect more light to the plants. 
well yesterday evening I finally got round to sowing my tomato, chilli and pepper seeds... indoors 
