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Heated propagator condensation question

purpletreaclepurpletreacle Posts: 50
in Plants
A few days ago I put several cell trays of seeds into my electric propagator.  The seed compost was damp as per the sowing instructions, so the lid is now full of condensation.  Should I
(a) wipe it dry every day, to allow more light in and to avoid "damping off"?
(b) not wipe it until after the seeds have germinated?
(c) not dry it at all, but open the two top vents once seedlings have emerged?
(d) not dry it at all, to preserve moisture?  
Thanks for any guidance

Posts

  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    edited January 2019
    Personally, l always wipe off any excess moisture a couple of times a day  - it seems to fill up with moisture pretty quickly and l always feel it could lead to damping off. Don't know if that's true though, it's just my instinct  :)
    Just out of curiosity, what have you sown ?
  • purpletreaclepurpletreacle Posts: 50
    Thanks, Anni.  I've sown five types of tomatoes, some cucumbers and a few flowers.  Have LOADS more stuff waiting to go in once those are up! 
  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774
    I don't want to put a downer on your enthusiasm but I hope you have a big protected area to move the  seedlings into when they are up.  I don't know where you are geographically speaking but some parts of the UK are expecting some very cold weather soon! This is the only snag with starting too early with a heated propagator.
    AB Still learning

  • barry islandbarry island Posts: 1,847
    Carefully lift the lid tip it until the moisture runs into a pool in the lid and then carefully pour it back into the propagator, once the seedlings emerge open the vents and watch out for signs of damping off. As the seedlings grow give them more ventilation by possibly lifting the lid a bit also you may need to cool the whole thing down by turning it off for an hour or two during the day. Don't forget that they will need at least eight hours of good light during the day that means additional lighting at this time of year.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I keep the vents mostly open on mine from day 1, but I don't start until March.
    Fresh air is important and will help prevent creating a lovely warm and humid environment perfect for fungi, so if the temperature allows it, let them breathe

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • barry islandbarry island Posts: 1,847
    edited January 2019
    I find it essential to use a thin layer vermiculite it helps to keep the soil surface dry and prevents damping off.
  • purpletreaclepurpletreacle Posts: 50
    Thanks, all. I'll follow your suggestions.  I had run out of Vermiculite but I put Perlite on top and mixed in with the seed compost (from a new bag).  I am on the south coast, have plenty of bright windowsills for the seedlings to go on during the day and a sheltered greenhouse for later. The cucumbers and one variety of tomatoes have made a sudden overnight appearance but look leggy so I've taken them out already!
     I have an LED reading lamp that I could put over the propagator - will that work, or does it have to be a special type of grow-light/spectrum of colours?


  • barry islandbarry island Posts: 1,847
    I think that any bright light will work to some extent but I believe that the special grow lights are better for plants.
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