Incubator as a Propagator?

[Shamone10]

I've got a few ensete, canna and mimosa pudica seeds. Obviously i'd like to germinate them but think I may have some trouble getting the high temperatures for the ensete v seeds.

I have no propagator but I do have a few incubators. Am I right in thinking I could get the seeds going in an incubator? Its dark and has a constant fan running in it thats why I was thinking just for germination for the temperatures attained.

Will 37-38 degrees C be too high? They have no other settings .

And to prevent the seeds drying out in a little compost I was thinking of putting each in an enclosed freezer bag within the incubator?

What do you think? Thanks

[Shamone10]

Oh also is their any harm in soaking and trying to start the ensete ventricosum seeds now and they sit indoors for a few weeks before getting any real heat/light?

Will them being damp for a few weeks prior to heat being properly applied increase their germination when subjected to it or will it be more likely to induce rot?

[Dave Brown]

Hi Shamone,

The incubator as a propagator will probably be ok for Ensete, but will be a bit too warm for most other things. Does it have ventilation? as that might keep it a couple of degrees cooler.

I used a timer with 15 minute switching to keep things slightly cooler. 15 min on 15 min off, worked with my uncontrolled propagator reducing soil temps form around 40C to 25C.

I would not soak until you are ready to heat, as cold, wet will probably not do any good. I put the seed into 50C water and let it cool to prop temp,soaking for 2 or 3 days. Many people use other methods but that is the one I prefer. The hot water heats the seed expelling air and as it cools it draws water inside the shell.

[Shamone10]

Ah thanks very much Dave, i'll hold off the soaking etc for a couple of weeks then. Thanks for the soaking info too, alot of people say there's a precise art to quick germination with 36-48 hours in 30 degree water etc etc but it does seem like there are quite large parameters within which there is little change to the germination rate and speed.