Soil thermometer + small heated propogators

[chappy]

Not sure if this is the best place to post this, but seemed fairly logical as I'm looking for a bargain. :D

I dropped and broke my old soil thermometer and it's chilli sowing time so need a new one.

Has anybody seen a cheap one anywhere? They all seem to be £10 (often plus p & p).

Will try wilkos at luncthime, but couldn't see one on their website.

Also I have a feeling one of my small propgators is not heating up.  Anybody seen any of those going cheap?  It's one of the standard seed tray sized ones.

Thanks,

Chappy.

[chappy]

[caroline7758]

Let me know if you find a cheap thermometer- I could do with one of those. have you tried ebay?

[nilly71]

B&Q have heated propogaters for £9.95
I don't know what size you are looking for but its 19cmH x 38cmWx 24cmD

Neil

[chappy]

Hi Caroline,

Well I've found some cheap ones that are the same as the one I broke for £3.95.  But as usual by the time you add on £4.99 in P & P they are not quite so cheap any more.

None in Wilkos, Wyevale or my local independent garden centre.

But all in all, you are looking at around £10 by the time you've added P & P.

On Amazon marketplace:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0001P1AX0/microsoftcouk-21/ref=asc_df_B0001P1AX0315942

£6.95 + £2.17 = £9.12

Brannans

http://www.brannanshop.co.uk/acatalog/soil_propagator_meters.html#A22

They have a range but cheapest works out at:

£7.73 inc vat and delivery

[chappy]

B&Q have heated propogaters for £9.95
I don't know what size you are looking for but its 19cmH x 38cmWx 24cmD

Neil

Thanks Nilly, those are cheap and also low power.  I think the ones I have are compared to a 60 watt light bulb but those at B and Q are only 8 watt.

So won't cost as much to run.

Thanks.

[Barnowl]

Although it probably isn't an issue indoors, I've found that low powered propagators can't raise the  temperature by as much above ambient nor prevent it from dropping and it's really important to insulate them with e.g. a layer of bubble wrap underneath.

[chappy]

Although it probably isn't an issue indoors, I've found that low powered propagators can't raise the  temperature by as much above ambient nor prevent it from dropping and it's really important to insulate them with e.g. a layer of bubble wrap underneath.

Ok thanks for the advice Barnowl.

I've currently got my 60 watt ones running on a timer switch to come on for 15 minute intervals and have a foil layer in the bottom covered by a layer of sand to spread the heat more evenly.  Feels warm enough in there, but not sure it's the 20 degrees c I need for my chilis to germinate. Hence the need for a thermometer. :D

[Barnowl]

60 W should do it but (depending on where it is)  I'd expect it to need to be on a bit more often overnight if you want to be consistently over 20degC.

[chappy]

60 W should do it but (depending on where it is)  I'd expect it to need to be on a bit more often overnight if you want to be consistently over 20degC.

Well with my timer coming on for 15 minutes intervals for my first tomato seedlings have emerged in 9 days.

Surprised me a little and they are aleady a bit leggy looking for light as I hadn't noticed them to turn the tray each day.  I wish I had a south facing window! :(

[nilly71]

So far i have had about 60 seedling to pot on and waiting for about 20 more to germinate.
I'm happy with it, but it is my first propergator.

Neil

[caroline7758]

Surprised me a little and they are aleady a bit leggy looking for light as I hadn't noticed them to turn the tray each day.  I wish I had a south facing window! :(

I think you'd find a south facing window would be TOO hot!

[caroline7758]

Valmarg, did you get my PM?