On Sun, 6 Apr 2008 15:06:02 +0100, Rhiannon Macfie Miller
wrote and included this (or some of this):

Having had a poor germination rate (30%) of tomatoes both this year in
my conservatory and last year on my dining room windowsill, I was
wondering whether a more constant temperature would help. I was
thinking about a smallish heated propagator. Are there any such things
available that run on solar power or are otherwise environmentally
neutral?

Personally I sow toms 2 seeds per pot in thumb pots, lightly water and
stick them on a window sill in the conservatory under a plastic seed
tray cover. Fresh seed and I get virtually 100% germination.
Full light and no extra heat. When they reach about 1.5 inches tall
I transplant individually as deep as possible into 2 inch pots.
Remove the cover and leave in full light. Plant on as necessary and
always as deep as possible into the pot base..

I now have 3 dozen mixed varieties in 3 or 4 inch pots, 10-12 inches
high and being hardened in the greenhouse during daylight ready for
planting out next weekend.

I used to mess about germinating in a dark airing cupboard but always
ended up with very leggy seedlings. Full light at all stages seems
to avoid this.

The conservatory runs at about 20 degrees day and 17 degrees at night.
In bright sunshine and with a hotter conservatory they spend the day
in an unheated greenhouse.

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