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Too propagate or not
Passionate
Posts: 225
hi people, I have bought a few packets of flowers seeds I hope to germinate for next spring. i do this every year and would say my success rate is 50/50. I always wonder if a propogator would increase my succes, but when I look into buying one I haven't a clue which one suits my needs.
Do I buy a large one and grow sections of different seeds in one tray? Do I need an expensive one or will a bog standard one do the job?
Or, which I always end up doing is to wait until the right time to grow each particular flower?? Any advice would be helpful.
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Posts
Propagators are great for germinating seeds early but you must have somewhere else warm and with excellent light to grow the seeds on after removing them from the propagator. Leaving them in there too long is the most common mistake and leads to tall etoliated seedlings which have little chance of survival and usually make poor plants. I use those cheap long 'windowsill' module trays with a clear plastic cover (from Wilco etc) for growing on and those go into the conservatory then greenhouse once it is warm enough. Seeds are sown into the small 6-plant module trays which can then be removed from the propagator as soon as the variety in that particular tray has germinated, leaving the other small trays with different seeds in until they germinate.
Bob is right, Ive never had a propagator either, I use those clear plastic meat/veg trays from the supermarket, one with seeds in, one on top. In the Spring they cover every available window sill and worktop space I can find.
I have never found anything that needs heat other that the house, but then I don't grow tropicals.
Thankyou Bob and Lyn for both your advice, it's very useful and I appreciate it.
You will find that many seed packets advise a temperature of around 20 degrees. You would have to have a very warm house to keep your windowsills at that level, night and day. Then you need cooler places once the seed germinate. A very basic set-up will enable you to keep seeds warm for a few days while they germinate and then they can be moved into a cooler, bright place without adjusting the whole house! You don't have to sow out of season, the heat just gives higher germination rates for varieties needing heat.
Hi Posy, thanks for your advice, it makes a lot sense and I think maybe I'm worrying to much.
I feel better for asking the forum gardeners and feel more confident to grow my seeds.
I think it's great to have other gardeners advice at our fingertips, .?
Hi Passionate.........I use milk cartons for my seeds. If you cut the carton just below the handle.....it acts like a mini greenhouse, which can be closed if the temp is too low. Also you never lose the labels a they are inside the carton! The seedlings also need less hardening off as they are not as cossetted due to continuous air circulation, as the bottle opening is left without it's top. Just don't forget to put holes in the bottom!!
Last edited: 02 October 2017 13:44:56
Hi Mary 370 that's a great idea I'll try that, smashing.?