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Ideas, Uses or Improvements for the seed Propagator?

From the lens How to make a propagator to start your seeds.

Please let me know what you think.


  • What have you used it for?

  • What did you grow?

  • Did you modify it slightly?

  • Have you found other suitable materials?

  • Were there any flaws you have discovered, and do you know a way around them?

  • EmmeSinger Apr 4, 2012 @ 5:55 pm | delete
    when i was a teenager and wanted to propagate some seeds :-) ... I took a lidded box that I didn't mind destroying, I layered it with papertowels, giving it a good thickness, and then sandwiched the seeds between the layers (3 or 4 paper towels below and 3 or 4 towels above, like a blanket). I then kept the paper damp and the box lid closed (except for re-dampening). The seeds sprouted and I was eventually able to move them to a small pot. Fungus was only a problem if I left the box unattended. Oddly enough, they had no light, but I suppose that's similar to when they're buried in earth, no? I don't know the mechanics of it, but it worked.

    This time I'll try your idea above (just bought some special seeds this morning, in fact!) but will use an empty water bottle (cutting off the neck) that I've got sitting by the bedside instead of the rice bottle.
  • AndyPo Apr 3, 2012 @ 5:14 am | delete
    Very useful information. Thanks
  • naheedahsan Mar 23, 2012 @ 1:13 pm | delete
    great lens and very informative
  • bloomingrose Mar 22, 2012 @ 12:33 am | delete
    Economical, and really smart. Angel Blessed for using such cheap, easily available materials and for making gardening easier. Plus your directions are easy to follow.
  • iijuan12 Mar 18, 2012 @ 11:19 pm | delete
    What a great idea! We may try this next winter to get our spring seeds started. Blessed and liked.
  • flicker Mar 18, 2012 @ 2:09 pm | delete
    Helpful info! I use a (bought) seed-starting kit with a dome to start my seeds. Works very well.
  • waldenthree.net Mar 15, 2012 @ 4:13 pm | delete
    Appreciating this topic. Are propogators mostly used by hobby gardeners ? We have to have a conversation sometimes about our complimmentary interest in "greenouse gardening" topics. Are you by any chance locaed in Virginia ? Congrads on your Squidoo level 59. Am going for my next level. Conversations helps with new topics. Thanks.
  • DessertLover Mar 6, 2012 @ 10:47 am | delete
    This is awesome! We usually try to start seeds around this time of year - this is a wonderful idea, I will definitely be trying this. Thanks!
  • JoshK47 Jan 24, 2012 @ 10:27 am | delete
    Very interesting - great info! :)
  • wolfie10 Oct 16, 2011 @ 1:32 am | delete
    well done
  • katemiya Oct 12, 2011 @ 2:05 am | delete
    My black thumb hopes this will help keep my seeds alive. I could use all the help I could get.
  • FarmerTom Jul 23, 2011 @ 4:08 pm | delete
    I have a friend who starts rose cuttings in similar looking homemade incubators made of 2-litre bottles and milk jugs. Cool lens!
  • GrammaLinda Apr 19, 2011 @ 12:16 am | delete
    I purchased a small seed propagator this spring. It works so well, that I intend to make some homemade ones, too. Thanks for the instructions!
  • BarbRad Mar 17, 2011 @ 11:31 pm | delete
    I'm going to bookmark this and come back if I do decide to start some plants this year. Thanks for showing me now to build my own propagator.
  • bojasna Feb 21, 2011 @ 6:32 am | delete
    I haven't used this kind of propagator, but i have used jars to cover my plants when the weather gets colder during march so that the small roots that are starting to have small leafs don't get frozen. I was wondering if you have any info about other types of seeds that can be placed in the propagator, like lemon seed or citrus?
  • TylaMac Jan 25, 2011 @ 12:13 am | delete
    What a great idea! I've used the commercial seed flats with the plastic dome but this looks like a cheaper alternative. I would never have thought to use bottles for this purpose. This would be a great way to recycle plastic instead of sending it to the landfill.

    *Blessed by a squidangel.*
  • jmsp206 Dec 19, 2010 @ 7:18 pm | delete
    A great way to use the seeds you want from your own plant stocks and grow stronge seedlings.
  • marsha32 Dec 16, 2010 @ 7:42 pm | delete
    another way to recycle those plastic bottles!

    blessed by a Squid Angel
  • LindaJM Sep 20, 2010 @ 5:07 pm | delete
    It is September and my garden has grown out of control... and it is producing abundantly. I'm already planning my plantings next year. I'd love to have a propagator like this to help get seeds started early.
  • susannaduffy Jul 19, 2010 @ 6:32 pm | delete
    Wonderful Danny. Wish I could answer your questions but I'm just starting out. Apart from carrot tops and alfalfa seeds I haven't the slightest idea of growing seeds, but I do now! Thanks for your resource on making a seed propagator. Blessed by an angel today
  • skiesgreen Jun 30, 2010 @ 10:58 pm | delete
    Wonderful information. I grow my early stuff in a plastic box which I take outside into the sunshine during the day and back inside when it starts to cool down. The inside of the box can get up to 90* or more so one has to be watching it. *-*Blessed*-* and featured on Sprinkled with Stardust
  • GonnaFly Mar 28, 2010 @ 1:46 am | delete
    What a great recycling idea that can help us with our veggie gardens.
  • ElizabethJeanAllen Feb 7, 2010 @ 8:58 am | delete
    I use a propogator for some of the temperamental seedlings like the parsley. When starting a lot of seeds, I just put plastic wrap over the pot of the trays. It's not perfect but it helps hold the moisture.
    Thanks for sharing
    Lizzy
  • Stazjia Jul 6, 2009 @ 5:45 am | delete
    This is a very useful lens. I have used a cut off bottle as a propagator and it really works.
  • MUMMYB Jun 18, 2009 @ 5:46 am | delete
    Really interesting lens. Enjoyed reading it. You have some very good ideas. Have rated 5* and faved.
  • gardenlady Apr 20, 2009 @ 3:11 pm | delete
    Very nice ideas. My garden is already well established, but I'll keep this in mind for next year. My empty sugar jugs will work nicely.

    Thanks for the lens.
  • Swisstoons Apr 19, 2009 @ 12:39 pm | delete
    Excellent, well-put-together lens. Rolling to my Best Buds lens.
  • Janusz Apr 19, 2009 @ 1:45 am | delete
    You have really made a Great Lens! well done.. Blessed by a Squid Angel :)
  • x3xsolxdierx3x Apr 10, 2009 @ 10:00 am | delete
    great lens! interesting and informative...........5 stars.....favorited.....and i'm now apart of your fan club :)
  • Apr 5, 2009 @ 11:31 am | delete
    Very Cool :) Thank you! Free Fun Stuff!
  • Lotusland Mar 30, 2009 @ 7:21 pm | delete
    Found you as a featured lensmaster on http://squidoorati.alltop.com/. All 5 of your lenses were featured. Congratulations. Love this lens.
  • EverythingMouse Mar 19, 2009 @ 10:41 am | delete
    Excellent lens. Informative and well illustrated. Squid Angel Blessings to you!
  • burntchestnut Mar 19, 2009 @ 9:27 am | delete
    What a great idea. And I like your instructions on making a seed propagator yourself - recycling and saving money, too.
  • Anthony Mar 14, 2009 @ 4:13 am | delete
    Wow, thanks a lot! I am running my personal blog about home garden seeds and find your lens very useful!
  • dannystaple Mar 9, 2009 @ 1:28 pm | in reply to Indoor_Jungle | delete
    Hi there, the propagator is actually ideally used to start seeds. When they get a bit larger, it is probably going to be a bit restrictive for them, and they should be being planted out.
  • Indoor_Jungle Mar 9, 2009 @ 11:32 am | delete
    Nice lens! I'll have to show this to my dad. When my herb seedlings get bigger, I might try this.
  • a_willow Feb 7, 2009 @ 5:14 pm | delete
    This is great tutorial for reusing plastic bottles! I would like to ask you to join Reuse it all! group! :)
  • thesuccess Jan 19, 2009 @ 6:52 am | delete
    Great idea for a lens
  • oneskms Jan 18, 2009 @ 4:17 pm | delete
    A great lens Danny, full instructions included, have lensrolled you to my vertical farming lens
  • Evelyn_Saenz Jan 12, 2009 @ 4:48 pm | delete
    I had thought of using the seed propagator for sprouting seeds for salad but now that I think of it I bet it would be great for Morning Glories. I always have a hard time getting them to germinate.

    Thank you for the very useful information.
  • Mayflowerblood Jan 5, 2009 @ 9:37 am | delete
    I'll have to try that.
  • Jan 1, 2009 @ 3:07 pm | delete
    This is why I love SQUIDOO! A lens like this couldn;t be found anywhere else. This is useful information and wil help me start my tomatoe plants this spring. Thank you for sharing a fact.
    Share A Fact!
  • d-artist Dec 16, 2008 @ 6:31 pm | delete
    very cool information...thanks for sharing...5*
  • seedplanter Dec 16, 2008 @ 9:48 am | delete
    Danny, what a great idea! I don't know why I didn't think of this years ago. It's like a terrarium for tomatoes. I'm faving your lens. I like your creative approach to gardening.
  • dannystaple Dec 16, 2008 @ 9:37 am | delete
    @flowergardener This is why I am such a fan of the lens about reusing cardboard tissue role tubes. I cannot stand throwing things away if they might have a use.
  • flowergardener Dec 16, 2008 @ 12:09 am | delete
    VERY cool! I love doing things different ways, and 'making do' with what I have on hand....he-he, I've been called the 'female McGuyver' before by my family :)
  • tdove Oct 18, 2008 @ 3:53 pm | delete
    Thanks for joining G Rated Lense Factory!
  • eccles1 Sep 21, 2008 @ 6:25 pm | delete
    what a great idea!
  • Orphie_G Aug 10, 2008 @ 9:01 pm | delete
    Great lens. Thanks for visiting. 5*****
  • poddys Aug 10, 2008 @ 6:57 pm | delete
    Good job, the descriptions are good, if you can add some photos it will make it even better. 5***** People outside of the UK might not know the shape of the bottle etc. I used to love growing my own tomatoes etc as well.
  • Euryale Jul 13, 2008 @ 10:30 am | delete
    Please add this to the Green Thumb gardening group! http://www.squidoo.com/groups/greenthumb

by

dannystaple

I love growing things, especially food plants. I grow tomatoes and other herbs. I try to build/make what I use, and reuse what I have around the house.
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