[Yorky]

Does anyone know of an online store to purchase one of these at a reasonable price? I want a medium to large one which will accomodate at least two 96 cell propogation trays which measure 335mm x 515mm each.

Someone mentioned polydome.ie - any experience of them?

Thanks in advance.

[Michael196]

YORKY,

if you have a homebase near you, they do a standard Stewarts heated propagator for about 55 quid.

there is a more expensive stewart with a thermostatic dial that allows you to dial up and down the temp for about 80 quid.

Johnstown GC has some in stock also

[Liparis]

If you can find a supplier of reptiles/equpment, purchase a heat pad and that would do the job much cheaper. Aternatively you can make your own heated propagator by buying an horticultural heater cable. Make a bench with 6" sides to whatever size you want, fill the bench with around 2" of sand (builders sand will do), then put in your cable of required size as per instructions then cover with another 2" of sand. Keep the sand damp for heat conductivity. I used to build a wooden frame to fit the propagating bench to about 2' high and cover it with polythene.
A very cheap propagator to whatever the size you want for a fraction of the price. Added benefits are numerous. Bought propagators are very limited in their use, but with a bench, even a vvery small one you can use it for the 9 months that you aren't germinating seeds etc to root cuttings of your favourite shrubs etc to increase your stock or give them away to friends. You will find your propagator in use 12 months of the year. For this purpose, remove your top 2" of sand and replace it with between 4" - 6" of 50% peat and 50% sand mixed well, root your cuttings directly into the peat/sand mix. Every two or three months, remove the top 1" or so if it's getting algae or moss growth and replace with fresh. You will have plants coming out of your ears.
A propagator like this measuring 3' long by perhaps the 3' or so wide of your staging will produce cuttings etc far in excess of you own use, unless you have a huge garden. Cuttings would go in rows with a maximum of 1/2" apart in the row and rows 2" apart. You compare that to the comparatively small area of a bought, plastic prop. A cable would cost you around €20 the sand a few euro and the rest you could do DIY for pennies. Of course, if your using it the house, then that's no good to you. But in that case, you probably don't really need a propagator.
Bill.