Can any one direct me towards some instructions for a propagation bench.

So far I have constructed a 6' x 2' x 6" deep bench and ordered a 20 ft soil
warming cable and a rod thermostat.

I was wondering about lining the bottom with a sheet of polystyrene, with
drainage hoiles of course.

Was then gouing to use horticultural grit. Not sure of the depth of grit
abovre and below the cable?

Trevor




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Polystyrene yes I cover mine with polythene sheet, don't put drainage
through, then 2 inches of sand cable laid 6 inches apart then another 2
inches then black poly over that to keep the moisture in the sand around the
cable.

--
David Hill
Abacus Nurseries
www.abacus-nurseries.co.uk

"trevor.appleton" wrote in message
...
Can any one direct me towards some instructions for a propagation
bench.

So far I have constructed a 6' x 2' x 6" deep bench and ordered a 20
ft soil
warming cable and a rod thermostat.

I was wondering about lining the bottom with a sheet of polystyrene,
with
drainage hoiles of course.

Was then gouing to use horticultural grit. Not sure of the depth of
grit
abovre and below the cable?

Trevor

Yes line with polystyrene also line the sides. I have experimented on
this and found the heat loss through the sides to be significant..

Bell

I would think about including some polystyrene insulation between the
plastic sheet and the sides and base.

--
"Wisest are they that know they do not know." Socrates
"If more of us valued food and cheer and song above
hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world" JRR Toliken, The Hobbit

through, then 2 inches of sand cable laid 6 inches apart then another 2
inches then black poly over that to keep the moisture in the sand

1 " or 2" polystyrene?

Sand or grit?

Sharp or soft sand?


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Polystyrene yes I cover mine with polythene sheet, don't put drainage
through,

Is polystyrene porous then David?




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"david" wrote in message
...
Polystyrene yes I cover mine with polythene sheet, don't put drainage
through, then 2 inches of sand cable laid 6 inches apart then another
2
inches then black poly over that to keep the moisture in the sand
around the
cable.

--
David Hill

Do you not put steel mesh over the cables to distribute heat.

Trevor,, Do you intend rooting into the sand etc or are you going to
stand pots etc on it.

Bell

Trevor,, Do you intend rooting into the sand etc or are you going to
stand pots etc on it.

Hi Bell

I was kinda hoping to do both

Trevor


BTW Do you know of any good lists of professional horticultural sites?


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Is polystyrene porous then David?

No but if you have damp sand sandwiched between the polystyrene and a top
layer of polythene then it will stay damp.
The top layer will stop the water from going into the sand
If the sand dries then the heat doesn't spread evenly through the bench.
I have had this working now for many years.
I also put the wires 6 inches apart with the thermostat probe between the
wires and just below the surface (about 1/2 inch)
The polythene also stops the plant rots going into the bench.

--
David Hill
Abacus Nurseries
www.abacus-nurseries.co.uk

so sand rather than horticultural grit?

Can I root direct into the sand as well as stand pots/trays on it?


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You can root straight into the sand on the bench, but I wouldn't. roots
quickly get amongst the wires and mess up the level of the wires. better to
rot in a box of media. I would use 1/3rd peat, 1/3rd sand and 1/3rd
pearlite, in a box a couple of inches deep.
It will be easier to get the plants out.
but still better to root in cell trays,

--
David Hill
Abacus Nurseries
www.abacus-nurseries.co.uk

How often do you have to wet the sand using this method?

Trevor




"david" wrote in message
...
Is polystyrene porous then David?

No but if you have damp sand sandwiched between the polystyrene and a top
layer of polythene then it will stay damp.
The top layer will stop the water from going into the sand
If the sand dries then the heat doesn't spread evenly through the bench.
I have had this working now for many years.
I also put the wires 6 inches apart with the thermostat probe between the
wires and just below the surface (about 1/2 inch)
The polythene also stops the plant rots going into the bench.

--
David Hill
Abacus Nurseries
www.abacus-nurseries.co.uk




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