The Garden Community for Garden Lovers
 
gattina

By Gattina

Bologna, Italy

Heated seed propagator: I have an old electric blanket which still works but does not reach temperatures high enough for use on the bed. If I covered it with polythene sheeting, can anyone think of a reason why I shouldn't use it to raise seedlings in trays placed on top of it?




Answers

 

Mmm... Not sure this would be safe, Gattina. Too much moisture around?

1 Nov, 2011

 

No air circulation which will promote mold. I tried using a heating pad, and a regular plant mat works much better.

1 Nov, 2011

 

Not something I would want to risk Gattina... a damp electric blanket would be a real hazard.

1 Nov, 2011

 

Very dangerous, Gattina. Your electric blanket works on mains voltage, a seed propagator works on a low voltage. It is unlikely that you could prevent the blanket getting wet at some point and give you an electric shock. Throw the old blanket in the bin.

1 Nov, 2011

 

Thank you all for your advice - duly noted - blanket headed for bin right now!

1 Nov, 2011

 

you can get special cables to bury in sand but I like my conventional one and it happily germinates my seeds in spring without the 'damping off problems'

1 Nov, 2011

 

I suppose in a way we are lucky to have an electrical system here in Italy that is very underpowered - 3kw at the most. As our electrician said, rather lugubriously to us when fitting our new fuse box, "If you feel inclined to commit suicide, buy a gun - it's impossible to kill yourself by electrocution in Italy!" Cheerful soul.
I comfort myself with that when we have to organise it so we aren't trying to boil a kettle, or use the oven, or dishwasher, or washing machine or tumble dryer more than one thing at a time. It's a nuisance, to say the least. The danger, I suppose, would be in starting a fire in a house with a great deal of wood in it.
The blanket is history.

1 Nov, 2011

 

You might be safer with something like I have - Garland Super 7 Electric Windowsill Propagator - 15 watts. You can get them delivered for around £28.

1 Nov, 2011

 

Thank you Dawns...I will have a peek at that.

Lol Lol Lol at the Both at your ingenuity and the "buy a gun" gag....still tittering.

DawnsAunt..Just bought one on Amazon £20.99 delivered that's the Passion flower seed sorted..

1 Nov, 2011

 

the nice thing with this propagator is that its designed to sit on a windowsill and has 7 small seed trays.

1 Nov, 2011

How do I say thanks?

Answer question

 


Not found an answer?