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Cultivation Articles Home			Propagators

Echinocereus pensilis

Propagators

Written � June 1, 2009

A propagator is used to start plants from seed, over winter those sensitive plants and a place to acclimate grafts or other forms of propagation. The construction of your propagator will determine on what you need it for.

They can be as simple as a desk lamp for a pot or 2 of seedlings, up to a massive piece of cabinetry with multiple shelves.

A propagator is essential to control the environment for raising seedlings. Temperature can be maintained by just the lights used or supplemented by a heat-mat. Vents and fans are also used to maintain a steady temperature.

The most important aspect of a propagator are the lights. We recommend atleast a 48� (4 foot) long 40watt fluorescent tube setup. The bulbs can be your basic cool whites and warm whites. We feel the more expensive *specialty* plant grow tubes aren�t needed. The seedlings get enough light for the 6 months or so they are in the propagator. The next most important aspect is to get as much light onto the seedlings as possible. Make sure the fixture has a good reflector. Painting the walls of the propagator a flat white or using white materials to construct it will put that light where it�s needed. By having a fully white interior, the light is able to reflect all around and the necessity of having the lights close to the pots is negated. We also feel adding mylar or aluminum foil does not add enough reflectivity compared to having a white interior to warrant the added effort or cost.

1. Preparation

You�ll first need to determine what you need the propagator for. Seedlings, overwintering, grafts or a combination of all 3. And at what amount of these will you be doing. Your choice of lights may change depending on your needs. When overwintering mature plants, different lumen output bulbs may be needed, or a combo of different lights to provide the proper light spectrum.

Next up is where the propagator will be housed. An indoor location would be a good start. A corner in the garage or spare room works. If using an outdoor location, it would be wise to seal the propagator off to critters, flying pests, ants, etc. You will also need to take added steps to maintain proper temps.

If just starting out, a simple construction with a single shelf and a single light fixture will do fine.

Now that you�ve figured out what size and where to place it, it�s time to build!

Materials you could use:

1. T12 or preferably T5/T8 fluorescent light fixtures

2. 40watt Cool white, Warm white or *grow* bulbs (3000k to 6000k lumens)

3. Heavy Duty Timer if outdoors, basic timer for indoors

Single shelf propagator using a small night table/dresser

2. Level 1 - Bare bones simple

As mentioned, a single shelf with a single light fixture will get you started growing from seed.

Dual tube fixtures can be found at any big box home improvement store for around $20. T12 types are common, but tend to lack the wattage needed, but the better T5/T8 types offer a brighter light.

A 3 wall enclosure with a covered top for the lights to hang from makes a nice propagator. If the flat white is maintained, there is no need to add any mylar or aluminum foil for added reflectivity. A white curtain (old bed sheet, blanket or even a piece of white artist board) placed on the front will allow light to stay inside, while offering an easy way to peek in and check on things.

The propagator to the left uses a single T12 24inch dual tube fixture.

Double shelf propagator using the same small night table/dresser

3. Level 2 � Growing a collection

Ok, so you have bigger ambitions and want to grow more than a single shelf from seed.

This propagator has 2 shelves with 1 light fixture per shelf.

Dimensions of each shelf can be 16� deep x 18� tall x 48.5� wide.

This type will require a trip to the lumber department. A few 2x4s or 2x2s, some plywood and a few light fixtures. Melamine or laminated white pressboard panels are available in bulk sizes. Provides a perfect white reflective surface. The white surfaces are, for the most part, water resistant, but any cut edge will balloon up and degrade quickly if it gets wet. Use a wood sealer to seal any cut edges.

Using some 2x4s or 2x2s to build a frame, it can be attached to wall studs for added security or can be freestanding. The melamine boards cut to use as shelves and walls. The top can also be a full board to hang the lights from, but cut/drill holes for ventilation. Holes can be cut/drilled on the sides of each shelf for added ventilation and when used in conjunction with a small fan can be used as airflow into the propagator or as an exhaust fan to expel the hot air.

Light fixtures can be hung from the bottom of each shelf and from the very top. They come with chains to hang them, making them adjustable by changing the chain link used to hang it. Using small eye hooks that screw in to hang the chains from.

The propagator on the top left uses two 48inch T8 dual tube fixtures.

The propagator on the bottom left uses two 24inch T12 dual tube fixtures.

T8 Light fixtures hung from upper shelf

4. Level 3 - The mondo condo

So maybe 2 shelves just isn�t enough for you. You have a large collection, but would like to grow a lot from seed and need overwintering space.

This version is the same as level 2, but has 4 shelves and uses 2 dual tube fixtures per shelf.

Dimensions of each shelf can be: 24� deep x 18� tall x 60� wide.

Dimensions of the full unit: 24� deep x 72� tall x 60� wide.

With 4 shelves this propagator can be growing seedlings, acclimating grafts, overwintering those sensitive plants and still have room for whatever else!

With each shelf having x2 T8 fixtures and x4 light tubes, there�s plenty of light. It�s much easier to take away light by adding a little shadecloth over any seedlings/plants than it is to add more light.

Doors can be made for the full unit or individually for added versatility. A white vinyl shower curtain or white canvas could also be used. Be sure it�s not too transparent, as you want to keep as much of the light inside as possible.

The nice thing about a shower curtain is that they usually come in 2 pieces. The inner liner being a white or cream color (usually), while the outer liner is a darker color with some kind of d�cor pattern. The inner liner helps reflect the light back onto the plants while the dark outer liner keeps the light from escaping into the room.

The other nice thing is its ease of installation to the propagator and it�s very easy to slide over to peek inside.

Timer/surge protector/powercords

Thermometer

5. Timers, surge protectors, power cords and thermometers.

With any size propagator, proper safety cautions should be used. Use heavy-duty timers and surge protectors. Cleaning up all the cords with zipties or other cable wranglers will provide a nice clean look and you won�t have a gnarly mess of cables. This also greatly helps when the time comes to change a fixture, perform a repair or change the layout.

Our Mondo Condo uses six 48� T8 fixtures and four T12 24� fixtures, two single tray heat mats and a large 4 tray heat mat along with 4 small fans. Add that up and it equals a lot of cords! 17 to be exact. The whole unit uses two timers and two (6 plug) surge protectors plugged into 2 separate outlets both on separate circuits. This may be slightly overkill, but better to be safe than to be on fire!

Holes are drilled to pass the cords through the walls and add ventilation. Also the cords are all run along the top framing of each shelf with fasteners to keep them up and out of the way and away from any water.

All lights and fans are on the same time set, 16hrs ON per day. The heat mats are on 24/7 for the first 4weeks then cycled with the lights for 2-3 weeks, then OFF.

With a propagator this big, it gives you a lot of options. Each shelf can be its own microclimate. This also adds more thermometers to the shopping list, as we use a separate one for each shelf. We found some nice $7 thermometers at Home Depot that display both temp (in F and C) and humidity. The nice thing about these particular ones is they read below 20% humidity where a lot of others do not. Not so useful in the northern climates, but useful here in the Southwest desert!

Davide�s recycled freezer propagators **

6. Other options

If building things is not your bag, there are other options! Old furniture can make excellent propagators. An old nightstand, dresser, small cabinet, etc. Also old fish aquariums make great propagators. Check the garage sales in your area you�re bound to find the perfect thing to use for a real bargain.� Paint the inside flat white, hang your lights and your ready to grow!

If you turn up empty handed, small inexpensive storage cabinets are sold at big box stores and places like Target, which, are already white melamine board!

Another option is to use an old refrigerator or freezer. These make excellent propagators, as they are sealed and insulated very well and have white reflective surfaces. Great for use outdoors when inside space is not available. Pests, bugs, etc� are kept out and temp control is well maintained.

SAFTEY NOTICE: These can be a danger for children accidently getting stuck inside. Be sure to mount a proper padlock to keep it locked at all times to prevent any possible problems or keep the unit in locked area.

**Freezer propagator photos courtesy of Davide D. (aajoo - CactiGuide)

Ready to grow!

T8 Light fixture

Worklight Red Steel

Cooling fans

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Seedlings in baggies

Overwintering plants or grafting projects

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Contact

Jen and Darryl

Email: [email protected]

Mammillaria guelzowiana

Tylecodon paniculata

v. dinteri

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