My New Incubator / Seed Propagator

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Tue Oct 20, 2009 7:45 pm

This was prompted by finding a customer return mini fridge at Lowes for $10

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Tue Oct 20, 2009 7:50 pm

After some modification, heat is provided by two 60W bulbs.

The circulation fan in the bottom center moves air to the top of the unit through external ducting.

The shelves are offset from the back wall 2'-3" to allow for proper air flow, a thermostat salvaged from a space heater has been calibrated to a 80F - 110F range.

All set and ready to go

Steve

TerdalFarm · Post by **TerdalFarm** » Tue Oct 20, 2009 8:54 pm

This will let you keep them consistently warm. The fan is to circulate air. Will the fan dry the growing medium too fast?

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Tue Oct 20, 2009 11:11 pm

I've been in the habit of using the Tupperware style containers to germinate seeds in. Easier to maintain humidity in a small container, and easier to stack (usually have 5-10 containers going at any given time

Steve

oppalm · Post by **oppalm** » Wed Oct 21, 2009 6:03 am

beautiful steve. nice find for $10. amazing what you do to propogate seeds.

hardyjim · Post by **hardyjim** » Wed Oct 21, 2009 8:18 am

That's awesome and it actually looks nice too!
I will have to keep that in mind as I have become much more interested in sprouting seeds.
My next adventure will be fern spores,C.medullaris(black tree fern) and C.australis(rough tree fern)

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Wed Oct 21, 2009 11:07 am

Thanks Kent, Took about three hours to put together (most of that time was scrounging around for parts, besides the fridge, the only other new parts were the bulbs & sockets)

Seems to be working well! Starting to load it up.

Jim, Thanks, looks a little better than the last model, used this one for about two years.

Good luck with the fern spores, sounds like a great project! I haven't tried it yet, but hope to someday.

Steve

hardyjim · Post by **hardyjim** » Wed Oct 21, 2009 6:50 pm

I like the palm logo on the new one,keep you from reaching in there and eating something?

Love the matching license plates on the old one nice touch!

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 9:38 pm

Thanks Jim, I also save the old compressors out of these. They are handy for filling tires

Steve

BILL MA · Post by **BILL MA** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 3:40 pm

That's some good stuff Steve, you truly have an inventive mind!

I think in our climates we all come up with some really good idea's to get this
stuff through. I like the painted palms on the front! Nice finishing touch. The picture of the coconuts in there made me laugh, nice after a long day
of hanging sheet rock for my parents place.

Bill

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Mon Nov 23, 2009 8:07 am

Thanks for the comments!
The finishing touches are my daughter's idea. For anyone interested, this shows some detail of the construction.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhYR4oqnPmk

Steve

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Mon Nov 23, 2009 8:10 am

It works!

Here is the first seed to germinate in the new rig

(A thin stemmed Licuala sp. from P.R.)

Steve

hardyjim · Post by **hardyjim** » Mon Nov 23, 2009 12:04 pm

Nice baby pic / can't wait to see it grow up

DesertZone · Post by **DesertZone** » Mon Nov 23, 2009 12:37 pm

That is awesome, what a good idea.

Looks like it would be good for reptile eegs also.

BILL MA · Post by **BILL MA** » Mon Nov 23, 2009 1:33 pm

I got a bunch of seeds from a friend in Arkansas that I need to germinate, how much did that total setup cost you Steve?

Bill

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Mon Nov 23, 2009 2:08 pm

Aaron, Would probably work fine for reptiles, maybe with the addition of a better quality thermostat.
This article on DIY incubators gave me the idea for a seed propagator.
http://www.utm.edu/departments/cece/idea/incu.shtml

Bill, Right around $20.00, the fridge was $10.00, then I had to buy the ceramic bulb sockets & light bulbs

(Already had the heater for parts, extra 4" duct work, etc.)

Steve

BILL MA · Post by **BILL MA** » Mon Nov 23, 2009 2:19 pm

Thanks Steve! I think I'm going to do it, or something similar at least.

Bill

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Mon Nov 23, 2009 4:25 pm

Congrats on a great video, Steve, for folks to see the process.
If they have the ability, just need to be shown once.

Your daughter's idea was the perfect finishing touch!

Barb

BILL MA · Post by **BILL MA** » Thu Dec 03, 2009 3:28 pm

Hey Steve,
If seeds float are they no good?

Bill

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Thu Dec 03, 2009 3:55 pm

Bill, That's true 95% of the time, (except for some species like Manicaria saccifera & Cocos nucifera which naturally float)

Give them at least 24 hours to sink, sometimes they can dry out and be revived with a soak, also, make sure there is no dried fruit left on the seeds. (that will also cause good seeds to float)

Steve

BILL MA · Post by **BILL MA** » Thu Dec 03, 2009 3:58 pm

Everything is working out well so far. I added a peroxide solution to the Musa Velutina for the first to rinses to clean them up some, the others are fresh enough.

Thanks again,

Bill

Okanagan desert-palms · Post by **Okanagan desert-palms** » Thu Dec 03, 2009 8:49 pm

Steve your the king of germinating seeds for sure. I can see a conservatory in the works in about three to four years at the rate of the new palms growing. LOL. Always great to see your new seedling projects.

John

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 7:10 am

John,
Thanks, I consider myself just a caretaker, it's the seeds and plants that do all the work.

Bill,
Best of luck with them! Take some photos along the way, always nice to see what other people are growing.

Steve

PalmsNorth.com

My New Incubator / Seed Propagator

My New Incubator / Seed Propagator

Cool 'fridge!

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