Are germination rates using propagators low? Do propagators actually work???? They seem expensive!!!

Flwer97

Hi guys,

I am design student from Loughborough university, currently doing a project to encourage people to grow their own plants/food from seed.

It would be super helpful to hear you opinions and experiences of caring for plants, germinating seeds & growing your own food! 

It should only take a few minutes, really looking forward to hearing your thoughts!

Thanks,
Hannah

https://forms.gle/tf9qVS7L8erFqceLA

Dovefromabove

Hi @hannahmburrage 😊 

is this the same questionnaire ?  

There’s no real need for you to spend your time repeating this onto all the different sections. 

Most people use the ‘Latest Posts’ option do we see all the recent posts on all sections. 

Repeats of the same post might be mistaken for spam. 

Hope you don’t mind me saying ... 😊 

Buttercupdays

I got my propagator, from Dobies seed catalogue, at our previous house. It moved with me and we've been here 35 years! It didn't cost that much, can't remember now the exact price and much bigger than most that you see nowadays. Hardly expensive in terms of use though. The plastic lid broke, but  I rigged up a new one with plywood ends and bubble wrap that works just fine.

I have a layer of  silver sand in the bottom, that I keep just moist, to help with humidity, so little seedlings don't dry out too fast.The steady warmth makes for much more reliable germination than a windowsill where temperatures fluctuate and the protected environment makes for quicker and more even growth, so batches of plants can be moved on faster to make room for more. I usually have a mix of small pots for germinating seeds and a module tray or some individual pots with plants that are growing on.

I wouldn't be without it and love lifting the lid in the morning to see what has appeared overnight.

granma

I use five  large electric propagators .each contain two large seed trays.I then have 7 large  non electric propagators.  I wouldn't be without them.this winter I'm going to take my experiment a little further.I shall try some seed through winter and see what happens.!
I hope to have plants ready so at the end of cold wimter/spring I can be a step ahead.

BenCotto

Hannah, you really should have got someone to proof read this and asked an experienced gardener to be involved in devising the questions. Is there a reason why you used American terms like eggplant and corn?

Good luck with it all the same.

amancalledgeorge

I'd be more concerned that the actual plant categories are plagiarised from an American source @Hexagon anyway, the subject line made me think click bait on the Mail website...which entertained me for five minutes 😉

Dovefromabove

amancalledgeorge said:

I'd be more concerned that the actual plant categories are plagiarised from an American source @Hexagon anyway, the subject line made me think click bait on the Mail website...which entertained me for five minutes 😉

I started to complete the form but didn’t finish it ... for the reasons quoted above ... and for the slipshod spelling ... if you can’t proof-read get someone to do it for you ... even auto-correct wouldn’t have spelt cacti ‘catci ’ 😞 It’s all about treating us and yourself ... and in the future your clients too, with respect by taking time and trouble if you want something from us.

Obelixx

Have to agree.  Poor spelling and bizarre lists of plant for a UK or evn, in my case, a French garden.  Also, no muktiple choice on the question about kinsds of propagator used.  More than one usually apply.

I think the questionnaire needs a re-think.

wild edges

You also might get pulled up for using leading questions to promote your survey. The survey title and questions are directing people to provide negative comments on propagators. You need to be careful about that as it's an underhand technique used by advertisers to promote their products under the guise of 'market research'. It might not have been intentional or it may serve your purpose I don't know but if your tutors are very critical it might get you marked down or even void the survey results.

granma

Did anyone complete the questions ?

Fairygirl

Re @wild edges' comment - I must admit that I thought it was a spam post when I first saw it. All the ' ? and ! ' marks didn't help, and the posting on 3 different threads as well.