My electric propogator works an absolute treat in germinating seeds....it's after that where it goes wrong for me. The bit between germination and a nice strong plug size plant is where I lose most of mine.
My daughter and I have enjoyed making our own little propagators using plastic take-away tubs and plastic grape boxes! Nothing fancy going into it just damp seed compost, seeds and then covering with cling film! It's our first year of growing seedlings indoors our green house is in need of serious repair!!- we now have seedlings on nearly every windowsill!! Hahahahaha!!!! Such fun
There is no magic secret. Different plants have different requirements. Find out what those are and try to meet them and you should get a good success rate.
For my own part I generally don't mind reduced germination rates. If even one plant survives it is likely to be cheaper than buying it full grown, so 2 and I'm definitely in profit. Also as I always plant far too many seeds, I would have way too many plants to possibly accommodate, even in a large garden, if they all grew
Only sow them in small containers , who wants 200 of one variety, I sow in rice/ yogurt pots, that way you can grow 200 different types instead of 200 of one type. No secrets here, Bung them in the pots, taking care to note which seeds should be on top of compost and which need covering, stand back and wait.
i don't have a propergator.
Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor.
My daughter has been gardening with me since she was big enough to sit in a baby bouncer... its in her blood now . Kids are funny though one moment they show no interest and the next they're hooked!
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Patience
Research where the plant comes from, what the climate is like, when it drops its seed. Follow what happens naturally
In the sticks near Peterborough
My daughter and I have enjoyed making our own little propagators using plastic take-away tubs and plastic grape boxes! Nothing fancy going into it just damp seed compost, seeds and then covering with cling film! It's our first year of growing seedlings indoors our green house is in need of serious repair!!- we now have seedlings on nearly every windowsill!! Hahahahaha!!!! Such fun
There is no magic secret. Different plants have different requirements. Find out what those are and try to meet them and you should get a good success rate.
For my own part I generally don't mind reduced germination rates. If even one plant survives it is likely to be cheaper than buying it full grown, so 2 and I'm definitely in profit. Also as I always plant far too many seeds, I would have way too many plants to possibly accommodate, even in a large garden, if they all grew
Only sow them in small containers , who wants 200 of one variety, I sow in rice/ yogurt pots, that way you can grow 200 different types instead of 200 of one type. No secrets here, Bung them in the pots, taking care to note which seeds should be on top of compost and which need covering, stand back and wait.
i don't have a propergator.
Loving the polystyrene cup idea!! We shall have to add that to our homemade propagator repertoire!!
My daughter has been gardening with me since she was big enough to sit in a baby bouncer... its in her blood now
. Kids are funny though one moment they show no interest and the next they're hooked!
Tip above duly noted! On the hunt for cups now!!