Janet Tweedy wrote:

I have now got electricity to my cold greenhouse. I don't intend to do
much more heating than just above freezing but I would like to put in
some SERIOUS propagators or at least a soil warming cable to strike
cuttings and possibly start off seeds in spring.
I've looked through the web and stuff like Two Wests catalogue and I
need advice.
Do I
a) buy a very large or even two electric propagators which are going to
set me back about £200 or

b) put in one of those large metal potting trays/stands then put in a
soil warming cable and fill with sharp sand and compost so I can strike
cuttings directly as I have been doing with two very large wooden boxes
up till now.

What does the team think? The greenhouse is an Alton cedar wood one.

I have two electric points

For a rough construction heated prop with soil warming.

Make frame to desired size.
Lay insulator such as polystyrene.
Line with plastic.
Lay sand.
Lay cable
Add a wire mesh (to prevent any large items piercing the cable)
Top up with sand.

You might wish to add some sort of cover, side insulation and a
thermostat attached to the oudside.

Mind you for around 300 you can buy an all in mist prop bench so
consider you're needs carefully!-)

//
Jim