A Tip to Germinating Seeds

[carlton23]

If you have a Sky Box, put a couple of sheets of kitchen paper on top, place a tray (without holes in the bottom) with seed compost and seeds on top of the paper and cover with a sheet of glass. The `bottom heat ` will make your seeds germinate within a few days without going to the expense of a heated propagator. When seeds show, move them to a light position out of direct sunlight. Keep compost slightly moist. Spray compost with Cheshunt Compound before sowing and on emergence of seeds to help prevent `damping off`.

[carlton23]

You must have a different box to mine, there are no vents on top.

[Maydup]

Fantastic idea- thanks for that

[AlBags]

Careful when watering!

[carlton23]

As previously mentioned, (without holes in the bottom) etc,etc. Read more carefully.

[AlBags]

OK .. I will try much harder in future .. I promise : )

[carlton23]

LOL

[carlton23]

Safe, as long as you follow my instructions, I`ve done it.

[woofgang]

be careful about putting things on your skybox. If it overheats and is damaged you will be into megabucks for a new one...better on a radiator, sunny window or in the airing cupboard if you must provide bottom heat. For seeds that don't need it, i prefer slower natural germination, I think you get stronger sturdier seedlings and less hassle with hardening off.

[dennisb66]

Sorry Carlton,I know you mean well but it is a dangerous practice and I would advise caution.

[RATTER15]

Madness!!!!

I wonder what your insurance company would think of this when your Sky box catches fire!!

[carlton23]

I have been doing this for ages and have had no problems, and any heat from the box soon dissipitates into the tray of compost. Like I`ve said, I use a tray without holes, I use small plastic trays that our meat from the supermarket comes in, and only damp compost that comes straight from the bag and no further watering until germination, then I place them in a light place out of full sun. When the true leaves appear, (after the seed leaves) prick out into trays with drainage holes, then water.

[hammerman]

If you want a cheap heated propagator, buy a growbag tray from Homebase etc then buy a 36" x 12" reptile heat mat from ebay....you'll get a decent size prop for about £23.

Ive got two and they work a treat seeing as they only give off gentle heat.