My seed propagator...Require a good starter mix..

[murihikukid]

Hi..First I am posting some photos of my Seed propagator...It was a Parasene 40 cell auto watering propagator but the bottom got too close to some ceramic heat bulbs and withered so I replaced it with a plastic one and no heat bulbs but it is sitting on a Pet heating mat..the soil is watered from a reservoir by a capilary mat.....overhead I have a 6 + 1 light fitting with adjustable arms in an overhead "hood".....There is a similar unit with set arms so if you want the arms to be adjustable for each bulb make sure you buy the right one ...I never so have got 3 non adjustable ones..One has to be careful handling these?

The propagator home is made from bits and pieces...from a small fridge /freezer shell with a "cut" stainless drum from a clothes dryer as an adjustable hood reflector ...and inside I have a shelf that the heating mat sits on then the propagator and the lights above ..I have 6 CFL lights and am undecided about putting a 7th in the middle..

So I bought a bag of seed raising mix here in New Zealand ..but wonder if i need to mix this with some Perlite etc...any suggestions would be gratefully received..Cheers Ron

[murihikukid]

Hi Just could not get my final photo in...So here it is all lit up...Cheers Ron

[My Foot Smells]

man, I ain't never seen nothing like that, space age. Is it winter in NZ?

to answer your Q on seed mix add, I vote NO. seed mix is soil-less and does just fine, I never add anything to seed starting mix and usually get almost 100% germ.

my concern with contraption, it might get too wet up in there. as soon as the seed busts I usually take the lid off my "thingy."

Have fun..

[Ricky Shaw]

Murihikukid : Hello, HAL. Do you read me, HAL?


Hal: Affirmative, Murihikukid. I read you.



Murihikukid: Open the seed bay doors, HAL.



Hal: I'm sorry, Murihikukid. I'm afraid I can't do that.



Murihikukid: What's the problem?


Hal: I think you know what the problem is just as well as I do.



Murihikukid: What are you talking about, HAL?


Hal: I know that you, were planning to disconnect me, and I'm afraid that's something I cannot allow to happen.


Murihikukid: HAL, I won't argue with you anymore! Open the doors!


Hal: Murihikukid, this conversation can serve no purpose anymore. Goodbye.







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Okay, more seriously.

I just use the same thing I pot up with PromMixHP.

or.... You could user something like 70% peat, 15% percilite, 15% vermiculite.


or..... Some people use straight diatomaceous earth. (Floor Dry Absorbent)

.

[MissS]

Originally Posted by Ricky Shaw

Murihikukid : Hello, HAL. Do you read me, HAL?


Hal: Affirmative, Murihikukid. I read you.



Murihikukid: Open the seed bay doors, HAL.



Hal: I'm sorry, Murihikukid. I'm afraid I can't do that.



Murihikukid: What's the problem?


Hal: I think you know what the problem is just as well as I do.



Murihikukid: What are you talking about, HAL?


Hal: I know that you, were planning to disconnect me, and I'm afraid that's something I cannot allow to happen.


Murihikukid: HAL, I won't argue with you anymore! Open the doors!


Hal: Murihikukid, this conversation can serve no purpose anymore. Goodbye.







---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Okay, more seriously.

I just use the same thing I pot up with PromMixHP.

or.... You could user something like 70% peat, 15% percilite, 15% vermiculite.


or..... Some people use straight diatomaceous earth. (Floor Dry Absorbent)

.

Oh My, that sure is quite the contraption! I just put mine in the oven with the interior light on or place them on top of a florescent tube light for a dose of heat. It takes a lot less room.

[kurt]

Originally Posted by murihikukid

Hi..First I am posting some photos of my Seed propagator...It was a Parasene 40 cell auto watering propagator but the bottom got too close to some ceramic heat bulbs and withered so I replaced it with a plastic one and no heat bulbs but it is sitting on a Pet heating mat..the soil is watered from a reservoir by a capilary mat.....overhead I have a 6 + 1 light fitting with adjustable arms in an overhead "hood".....There is a similar unit with set arms so if you want the arms to be adjustable for each bulb make sure you buy the right one ...I never so have got 3 non adjustable ones..One has to be careful handling these?

The propagator home is made from bits and pieces...from a small fridge /freezer shell with a "cut" stainless drum from a clothes dryer as an adjustable hood reflector ...and inside I have a shelf that the heating mat sits on then the propagator and the lights above ..I have 6 CFL lights and am undecided about putting a 7th in the middle..

So I bought a bag of seed raising mix here in New Zealand ..but wonder if i need to mix this with some Perlite etc...any suggestions would be gratefully received..Cheers Ron

It is so neat to see some downright good,resourceful uses for the items you would probably find in any garage.The inventiveness of people regardless of the reason is to be admired.Along with Worth down there in Texas and another smattering of TVille members all around I commend all you guys and gals.I kinda belong to this movement or thought that I stumbled across some years ago,see below.

In that propagator I would clean it up of the organic materials(possible pathogen growths)and use all soiless mediums.Great job and effort

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maker_culture