Heated propagators - how do you use them

[brandco]

Sorry if this is in the wrong place but I am unsure where to put it.

I am always wary of electrics, water, and big bangs. I have 2 sankey electric propagators and I am not sure of how to correctly use them. As they give out heat I would like to know if you can just plonk modules into them, or if you should put soil or sand into the bases first. I am concerned that the heat would not be dissipated evenly by just plonking modules directly into them thus causing them to overheat and melt or such.

Can anyone advise on this.

[Two_Sheds]

I've used them for years, with no problems. Don't worry

[piskieinboots]

I am always wary of electrics, water, and big bangs.

You want to see me filling the iron, whilst plugged in and switched on I wouldn't recommend you try this at home children!!

No such probs with my electric props though

[Sanjo]

I always put a layer of about an inch or so of moist compost in my electric propagators. It helps spread the heat and keeps the humidity up. Just remember to take the lid off daily and give it a shake to remove the extra moisture.

[Bren In Pots]

I use a damp piece of capillary matting in the base of my propagator, it evens out the heat and makes watering easy.

[PAULW]

I use a damp piece of capillary matting in the base of my propagator, it evens out the heat and makes watering easy.

Me as well

[brandco]

Thank you all for the replies, I think I will play safe and put a half inch of soil or such in the bottom. I did think about putting water in it to keep them watered but considered it as bad as boiling my plants !!.

[Glutton4...]

I just put compost in, watered it, and sowed directly into the compost. Pricked out two weeks later, and sowed the next batch. Couldn't be bothered with modules or trays

It's working so far!

[PAULW]

Branco it is safer to put water in the bottom of the proagator to water the plants/seedlings than to water from the top it encourages the roots to go down for a drink rather than form close to the surface.

[Helgalush]

I always put a layer of about an inch or so of moist compost in my electric propagators. It helps spread the heat and keeps the humidity up. Just remember to take the lid off daily and give it a shake to remove the extra moisture.

Sorry - newbie here - why do you need to do that? Sorry if that is a silly question. I try to remember to wipe the excess moisture off, but regularly forget for a few days...

[Sanjo]

Sorry - newbie here - why do you need to do that? Sorry if that is a silly question. I try to remember to wipe the excess moisture off, but regularly forget for a few days...

Helgalush, I think sometimes that the amount of condensation produced not only cuts out some of the light, but also there is the possibility that it will drip onto my seedlings.
I shake the lid so that all the excess moisture goes to one corner. If I have ummmmm! overwatered the seedlings (and the base compost is still moist)then I discard this extra water.
If the base compost is looking dryish I tip it back onto the compost.
Hope that makes sense?
Basically, you want it moist but not wringing wet.

[Helgalush]

I see, yes makes perfect sense. Thanks for explaining it for me.

[WrexTheDragon]

I use a damp piece of capillary matting in the base of my propagator, it evens out the heat and makes watering easy.

Ditto .

[plymouthred]

Touch wood

Just fired up mine for the first time (Sankey 100) which came with capillary matting.

Sowed some chillies (Cobra G4 & Exotica), probably a bit later than I should have done, but touch wood they'll grow. Loving this forum and my first 'proper' year of gardening

[Madasafish]

I have a 20 odd year old Ward one. Used every year,then cleaned and stored on top of a cupboard. Plastic cover is cracked but whole.

Raising begonia from seed - covered in clingfilm and left in for 3 months is easy.. Ditto lobelia.

Great for tomatoes etc.. Capillary mats? Don't bother...