Propogators

ciaranmcgrenera · 22 January

Hi all,

I’m getting my first greenhouse in 4 or 5 weeks. I’m excited to grow some food, for the first year I don’t think I’ll push too hard in terms of pushing the envelope of what it can do.

My plan is to grow San Marzano, John Baer, and a cherry tomato- Resi. If the timing works I’d like to grow Padrons also. As the year goes on I’ll add herbs, maybe one or two other opportunistic bits.

im looking a propagators and like
most things these days the options are dizzying. I’m wondering do I need heated, should I plant directly in the propagator or use a good seed tray with cells- to sit inside the propagator. Is 20 odd seeds of each enough? I plan to use a quad grow system (it seems to be available now in a few places) so all I’ll need is either 4 or 8 tomato plants max.

For the herbs I figured I’d just buy the plants in the garden centre and be really nice to them!

Any advice is GREATLY appreciated, particularly propagators, etc.

Pete.8 · 23 January

Along with quite a few others on this forum I have a heated Vitopod propagator in my greenhouse.
I sow chilli and tomatoes around mid-Feb in the propagator.
I don't have a light for it.

JennyJ · 23 January

I usually get not far off 100% yield from tomato seeds, even old ones. 20 seeds each of three varieties should give you around 50 to 60 plants. Just sow a few more than you need, seal up the packets (in a ziplock bag or wrap up tight in cling film), and store them somewhere dry and not too hot. What's left will be fine for several years.

Helios · 23 January

I sow my seeds in small pots or cells inside the propagator. What I couldn’t be without is the type which has a variable temperature control. Speaking from previous mistakes, much better than the sort you just switch on and hope for the best.

AnniD · 23 January

This may be of use

https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/1070686/variable-temperature-propagator

LeadFarmer · 24 January

As Pete.8, I use Vitopod heated propagators with thermostat.

https://www.greenhousesensation.co.uk/product-category/heated-propagation/vitopod-variable-temperature-control-propagators/

I started using then for the first time last year to grow chilli plants..

https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/1072927/growing-chilli-plants/p1

Sow your seeds in trays or pots, not directly in the propagator, that way you can control drainage and move the seedlings about when needed.

thevictorian · 25 January

I use a non heated propagator (I even use a modified clear plastic tub) and have never had a problem germinating chilli or tomato seeds. I do wait a bit longer though as they tend to get leggy if the days aren't bright enough for them.
I sow more than I need because we swap or give them away but I agree that tomato have excellent gemination success and chilli are good but not as high, at least for me.

ciaranmcgrenera · 25 January

@thevictorian how much longer do you wait?

…and how far North/ South are you?

thevictorian · 25 January

I'm in norwich and tend to sow chilli's mid to late febuary, because they take a while to come up and tomatoes go in march but they can be sown a little later. Chilli's need a long season but tomatoes seem to catch up earlier sowings and produce stronger plants when you have better light.

LeadFarmer · 25 January

Looking at my notes from last year, I sowed chilli seeds (Aji Benito & Spike) in my greenhouse propagator on 7th March, set at at 27 degs, they germinated 8 days later and I was harvesting green chillies from July and red chillies from August. I'll be doing the same again this year.

Propogators

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