Garland Extra Large High Dome Propagator

Product Information

The Vitopod is quite simply the best electric propagator your can buy. No, it's not cheap but the design and build quality of this unit is the best you'll see anywhere. It was voted the best buy propagator by BBC Gardeners World magazine. This professional electric propagator from greenhouse sensation will enable you to grow larger or tall plants with ease. If you want to buy a heated propagator, the following information should help clear up any doubts or questions you may have: Choosing the Right Size Although this propagator doesn’t have a timer or thermostat, the growing conditions can be controlled to an extent using the air vents. It’s also incredibly simple to use, while the heat produced is even across the 7 trays. To allow adequate space for seedlings to establish, the best propagator will be around 15 – 20 cm in height . Ideally, you want to be looking for a propagator with a wattage of around 13 – 22 W . This will provide sufficient heat for seedlings without being too costly to run. Optimal soil temperature for germination is 10 – 15°C so the propagator needs enough power to maintain this. A heated propagator is usually powered by a low wattage electric element, which are very inexpensive to run. However, a warm windowsill or a heated greenhouse is perfect for an unheated propagator. Seeds need both light and heat to germinate effectively, so you would need to decide which type of propagator is going to be ideal for the job. You might also want to consider whether you want to incorporate small trays or pots within the unit or whether you will sow seeds or grow plants from cuttings. Your general growing requirements will obviously determine the overall size of the unit you will need.

Electric propagators can range in wattage, and the size of the propagator will also affect how much power you need. The wattage determines the cost of running it. In terms of performance, this propagator can be used to grow a wide variety of seeds. It comes with a 13W carbon fibre element that provides an even heat distribution, raising the temperature by around 8°C. Having said that, it’s still best installed on a sunny windowsill if you’re growing plants that prefer a lot of warmth. With seven individually-vented cells and a reasonable price tag, this Garland Super7 Electric Heated Windowsill Propagator offers good value for money. Despite having seven cells, it has a compact design enabling you to grow germinate multiple seed varieties in one go. Very handy! The idea of adding a propagator to your house might seem daunting – doesn’t it cost a lot of money to have a heat source on for a long time?

The base features a fully enclosed and completely water proof heating element which gives an even spread of heat across the base with no hot or cold spots. Temperature is precisely controlled by the include thermostat which can be accurately set in 1 degree increments between 5 and 30 degrees celcius. Having a propagator with separate ‘cells’ will mean you can choose to ventilate certain cells and not others which allows you to adjust the environment to the individual seed. Generally, a height of around 20 cm will allow enough space for your seedlings to establish properly, giving them enough time to grow good roots and 3 – 4 full leaves before having to transplant them.

I bought the large vitopod last year and it was fantastic. It fits lots of plants and is easy to set up. I love it. There’s only one open heating space, so you’re not restricted by smaller ‘cells’. The only real downside to this is that seeds can’t be individually ventilated. The plastic lid has two vents, which can be opened or closed to help regulate the temperature inside the propagator. There was only one way to test the EarlyGrow 3-Bay Heated Electric Propagator! I took my kids to our local garden centre, where they chose a small variety of fruit and vegetable seeds they wanted to grow. I tried to guide them within the suggested ‘germination months’, but they were naturally drawn to the strawberries! Hey, might as well give it a try right?! So we planted strawberry, peas, and giant pepper seeds. My boys ready for some planting! Obviously, the germination time is entirely dependent on the plant or vegetable variety, but it’s just a good example that the EarlyGrow is very capable of generating the right conditions for seed germination – which is of course the most important factor here. Looks like peas will be on the menu soon! Plus, if you get a propagator with a thermostat, it will regulate the temperature and save energy by turning off when it reaches a certain temperature.

Garland Micro Grow Light Garden Propagator

Extra features on this propagator are very limited. There is no thermostat and no timer, although a timer can be separately hooked up. Many users found that it got too hot for some seedlings, so I’d recommend keeping an eye on things for the first few days. The design itself is very simple. This unit consists of a heated tray with a ventilated plastic lid – you supply your own trays/pots, but it can fit 2 x 24-pot plant trays, so that gives you a good idea of its size in practical terms. This tray heats very evenly, but unfortunately there is no thermostatic control. Taking the temperature readings and opening the vents, or even turning the unit off for a brief time, is the only way to control the heat. However, most users find this level of control more than enough for most seedlings, and appreciate its ease of use. Large, one-cell units that measure around 52 x 45 cm can be used to try to germinate around 140 seeds. They’re often big enough to fit 2 x 24-pot seed trays, and if you get 3 seeds in each pot, this can mean the potential to plant 144 seeds. A heated propagator creates an environment that’s just a few degrees above air temperature, forming conditions that help many seeds to germinate. The best part is that they cost just a few pence a day to run.