My incubator tank

[patrick620]

This is a 10 gallon aquarium with an old heating pad underneath it. It stays about 85 F inside when the sun is not shining in. If the sun is out, I dont use the heating pad at all and I have to crack the lid open or it will rise to 100 F in no time. I could just not have it in the sun at all but I dont like leaving the heating pad on while I'm at work. You may also notice the PVC starter tubes that I'm experimenting with. The ones in the tank now are 3/4" ID and 2 1/2" long and are for cactus seeds. I have some larger PVC that I'm going to cut up today for some palm seeds. In order for the soil or sand not to fall right out of the bottom of the tubes, I drilled a very small hole in one side and out the other at the bottom of the tube and shoved a toothpick through it. The toothpick blocks a wad of pressed dried green moss which in turn blocks the soil or sand. It all seems to be working great so far.

[Knnn]

Patrick,

Looks like a nice set up
I'm curious as to how the PVC tubes work out, please post your results!

Steve

[patrick620]

Thanks, Steve. I made some bigger tubes for some palm seeds (Acoelorrhaphe wrightii Paurotis, Everglades Palm and Pritchardia pacifica, Fiji Fan Palm). The palm tubes are 1" ID and 4" in length. If they turn out to be too short I will make my next batch longer. I'm already happy with the efficient use of space with this method and I'm HOPING that when it comes time to transplant them that they will just slide right out as a plug. I will be sure and post the results.

[lucky1]

Hey Steve, how about re-posting that big PVC pipe of yours where you started the Bizzies.
Those were great pics.

It's definitely a good idea.
Well done Patrick.
Barb

[Knnn]

Barb,

Here's the Bismarckia containers, 6" diameter PVC cut lengthwise & taped together.




Steve

[lucky1]

Steve, that's the pic of the PVC I remember!
I saw another that was cut lengthwise and you were taking it apart to show the root development.

you two both have the same good ideas!