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Germany

Hi all,
Those of you who are looking for a suggestion of how to build an incubator for seed starting, have a look into my grower diary (2022, Oct 29th), this post here and the other six thereafter:

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=335861

11/3/2022 12:32:27 PM

Kutztown, PA

Pumpking, I think its a great and economical incubator. I may use something like this next year. The only things I'll point out to you is that pumpkins wont grow if you measure the temperature in Centigrade and the plug on your timer is missing a couple of prongs. :)

11/4/2022 9:34:44 AM

Kutztown, PA

PS - I'm definitely going to use the spring loaded pipes for starting pots next season. That too was a great idea!

11/4/2022 9:35:48 AM

Germany

The tricky thing about the trick with those pipes is: If you want them to spring in spring, don´t let them fall in fall.

11/4/2022 11:41:07 AM

Germany

Also, the thermometer in centigrade and this special plug are also things which make this incubator particularly economical. You need to heat to lower number of degrees and less material is used for the plug, respectively ;)

11/4/2022 11:44:37 AM

Kutztown, PA

LOL - never thought of it like that Pumpking. :) Good one!

11/4/2022 4:26:13 PM

Syracuse, NY

I hate to be the one to say it but this should not be used in anyone's kitchen or even in the house due to the fact that it is a line voltage-driven HEATing element in a cardboard box held in place with duct tape and even the Ziploc bags could become a fire hazard if left unattended long enough to become spot-heated, leak out for a few hours and become as any other flammable substance; One failure of any component could become catastrophic and I'm 'just sayin - to have said'. At least keep it out of any living spaces, as well as animals'(!) and I know that there are numerous other sprouting inventions on this site, including my own, lol, and yet, I'm just popping in early about this one, as well-intentioned as it is.

On a brighter note, I'd like to suggest that ANY line-voltage-based THERMOSTAT incorporated into the program rather than the timer/wait-and-see approach would be more convenient and
would not be dependent upon the ambient temperature of the concrete floor, away from everything by 15 feet, lol---eg---I have a Germ-Fridge, so I am a bit biased and I DO love the
'Spring Pipes' as well. C'mon, Spring! Pipes, that is...

11/4/2022 5:30:53 PM

Germany

pumpkinpal2, it´s a good point you´ve raised and I understand your concerns. I should have pointed out that the silicone coated heating cable is a heating device which is designed for use in (yes inside) terrariums, where it can be in close contact with flammable materials such as coir, bark, wood.

11/4/2022 5:57:34 PM

Germany

Therefore, my remarks should definitely have included a sentence such as: "Whenever anyone attempts to create anything similar, only use heating devices which have been designed for safe indoor use even in case of contact with flammable materials."

11/4/2022 6:15:22 PM

Grittyville, WA

I had a heat mat put a substantial burn mark into a linoleum floor! Way to look out for us pumpkinpal, with really bad luck a person could lose a whole lot more than a tray of seeds.

11/4/2022 7:03:43 PM

Grittyville, WA

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=335960

Pic of what pumpkinpal is talking about.

11/4/2022 7:25:48 PM

Syracuse, NY

Fabulous - I appreciate that you see that I was looking out for the safety of the adventurous and thrifty seed-sprouting experimenters, lol!
Glad you took it well---

Grower that lost a whole lot more:
"Greenhouse burnt up from sprouting an 1885 Werner";

Typical Other Grower:
"Awww, sorry, man! Did, uhhh, the 1885 make it?"

Pap, you lissenin'? Ha Ha - eg

11/4/2022 7:28:20 PM

Syracuse, NY

It's funny sometimes when I type a lot and then another reply has occurred in the meantime -
Wauuuwww, Gritty! Whhoooda thought?
Okay, Whhoooda thought the subwoofers I was looking at could cost like $1300?
Was falling asleep and scrolling, too, lol---Laters---eric g

11/4/2022 7:34:35 PM

Whidbey Island

For $22 you can purchase a baby wipe warmer. Put in a wet towel and place the seeds in a fold of the towel. I've never needed a thermostat though I do check the temp several times in the first 24 hours to make sure they aren't overheating, cracking the lid if it is getting too warm. Usually no longer than 48 hours and the root is showing and I transfer to the warm pots. I've done a total of 12 seeds at one time this way. I keep a diagram so I know which seed is where. Pretty simple and effective.

11/6/2022 7:43:35 PM

Muddy Waters

I wrap them in a wet paper towel after a 2 hour soak then place in a zip loc baggie.Place on top of refrigerator come back in 5 days. Works great. Beware of heating seeds to 90 degrees Many cook the seeds as these can have hot spots.Just a warning to the newbies. Heat is not mandatory to germ seeds. It just speeds up the process a couple days 70 degrees steady works great.

11/10/2022 7:22:13 AM

Kutztown, PA

There's nothing wrong with roasted pumpkin seeds! I eat them all the time.

11/10/2022 9:09:17 AM

Kutztown, PA

How about this one: I have a baby chic brooder like the one in this link. I take the legs out, turn it upside down, lay 3 (1") diameter metal pipes across it and then set a square plastic storage been on top of the pipes. I set 6 (1) gallon pots inside along with a thermometer. I place a towel over the top to allow some air flow. There are no hot spots since it's the air surrounding the pots that's warming them. Of course the seeds are about 8" above the bottom of the pot so a hot spot wouldn't happen anyway.

11/10/2022 9:30:49 AM

Kutztown, PA

Oops! Here's the link:

https://www.amazon.com/RentACoop-Heating-Plate-16/dp/B074NBP77R/ref=sxin_15_pa_sp_search_thematic_sspa?content-id=amzn1.sym.4e7a2229-074e-44de-95c4-9fd858f46295%3Aamzn1.sym.4e7a2229-074e-44de-95c4-9fd858f46295&cv_ct_cx=chicken+brooder&keywords=chicken+brooder&pd_rd_i=B074NBP77R&pd_rd_r=e98299e9-6086-4f05-a3fd-6fd780771f22&pd_rd_w=SVpQj&pd_rd_wg=T3Ezz&pf_rd_p=4e7a2229-074e-44de-95c4-9fd858f46295&pf_rd_r=75A97DQVYHZX9YS27ZX0&qid=1668104330&sr=1-4-a73d1c8c-2fd2-4f19-aa41-2df022bcb241-spons&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.fa474cd8-6dfc-4bad-a280-890f5a4e2f90&psc=1

11/10/2022 1:21:19 PM