Vitopod heated propagator setup & review | Tropical Tribe

[@Asenath33]

Briliant video. Thank you so much. I just bought one of these and was indeed a little daunted by setting it up. (It's actually been sitting boxed up for 5 days in spite of me chomping at the bit for it to arrive for 4 weeks.) Construction commences now!

[@ianh9871]

Very informative video, thanks for this, living in a top floor victorian flat with big windows but no prospect of a greenhouse, this will be great. I'd only add the running costs; if this is 100 watt and running 10 hours a day (allowing for cool downs/reached temp) it will use 32kwh a month about £4.50 /£5.00 electric. A 100 watt mini solar panel kit is £140 - effectively repaid after 2 years.

[@GrowParadise]

Wow! You’ve really thought about it 😀 I think it would be great if your living in a flat, the large one gives you plenty of space to play with 👍🌱🪴🌿

[@emilymonk6794]

A plug and socket cover would solve the water issue. What a lovely propagater. My greenhouse is currently filled with the contents of our shed, waiting on new one, can't wait to give the greenhouse a clear out and clean, ready to be filled with the plants currently germinating in my kitchen! Thanks so much for your videos they are fab.

[@GrowParadise]

Spring is fast coming, just around the corner! Fingers crossed you get your new shed soon so that you can start enjoying that greenhouse again 🤞😀🪴

[@annepowell756]

Yes i bought this type propagator a while ago to grow some sub tropical seeds i bought on the internet via taiwan. i was really successful and i could not fault it in any way. I believe its a great investment. Its a really good video to give people the confidence to buy one!

[@GrowParadise]

Hi Anne, thanks for watching! 😀 it has been a really great bit of kit for sure, I’m looking forward to challenging myself with germinating some really difficult seeds soon 🌱

[@SC-hk6ui]

Thanks. Interesting video. I'm working with plants from Borneo, but I live in the frosty mountains. I actually went with the Stewart Variable, which has the same wattage but is a fraction of the size. I found it very valuable learning that there is a gap on the lid. Would make it totally impossible for me. I'm testing with Trichoderma, and much of the time I will be aiming for 99% relative humidity. Also, I am not keen on some of the joins, because I do like the idea of using them as a fruiting chamber, and working with in-vitro plants. So yes, great work, great video I think.

[@SuperSteve916]

Couple of points Craig. As a sparky it worries me that you’ve mentioned the plug isn’t waterproof, but you’re running with 2 cables still coiled up. This is dangerous and is a fire risk as the cables act like a coil and heat up. The lid issue isn’t that bad. The weight of the lights cause it when you open a lid. I just put my finger and thumb between the lids and prise them back apart again. Simple 👍

[@GrowParadise]

Thanks for your advice, we've upgraded the electrical set-up since this video was uploaded.

[@pabbyification]

Excellent straight forward video Craig. Ordering one now

[@GrowParadise]

Thanks, it's the perfect time off year to get a new propagator 👍

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Just had time to check this out, great review and definitely a propagator I recommend!

[@GrowParadise]

For sure 👌🌱

[@LuukJaarsma]

Beautiful, I think that you have to turn the lid one quarter, I have the same Vitopod, but I don't have that problem.

[@bella123439]

have had this propagator in my shed for 2 years now scared to use it going to get the lights on to morrow great post thanking you stay safe ATB (all the best ) my brothers sisters allways asking what does ATB mean looking forward to future posts

[@Bee-io3id]

Great video thanks will be putting this on my wish list as looks so much more sturdy than others I have seen

[@GrowParadise]

It’s been great for me, always worth checking out all the options available 👍🌱 thanks for watching!

[@ironian24]

Thx for this video I have just bought this large vitopod so looking forward to growing lots of seeds for the veg garden and my lovely large victorian greenhouse I built last year, I made a video of how I made it from start to finish, you might want to take a look at the video when you get 5 mins. This was a great video and you answered my question about staggering the layers, I actually thought you did it wrong lol.

[@GrowParadise]

Cheers, I'll check out your vid 👍

[@stephenboyce6765]

Fabulous review. Well done.

[@GrowParadise]

Cheers Stephen, I've got the Hydropod arriving tomorrow so I'll review that soon too 😀👍🪴

[@ironian24]

I just got mine today and you say the lid's don't work correctly, but if you push both lids apart they will fit, I was aware of what you said when I was setting mine up and they did the same so I just pushed them out and it worked. Love my propagator and lights, I got it today and it took me 1/2 an hour to make up then a further 1 hour to fill it with seedlings lol. looking forward to this years early veg. I am aware that the thermostat should be plugged into the soil because you are trying to get the soil to temperature, or that is the advise I have been getting.

[@GrowParadise]

Yes, lots of people put the thermostats into the soil. I think it said not to do that in the instructions that came with the propagator.

[@johnoneill8211]

I have the large version with lights. I plan to use it to germinate and grow on onion seeds in October that will, with a lot of luck, be giants by next August. A big risk is disease and I want to incorporate a fan to ensure good airflow. I'm hoping to find someone that has already done that and is willing to share their solution.

[@theflowersocialcic]

Hi, I have just bought one of these monsters and was really daunted in putting it all together, thanks for sharing this video. I feel much better now about tackling the job in hand and actually seeing yours set up in the greenhouse has helped me decide where I can put it. Looking forward to getting it all set up now 😀

[@GrowParadise]

Thanks Jules, I'm glad the video helped you out 😀👍

[@jameswillison2220]

Excellent thank you just got one n looking for tips

[@GrowParadise]

I would say make sure the plug is high and dry, sweep out the base tray frequently to prevent rot and clean off any limescale build up after watering. Enjoy it😀

[@anthonywillis4804]

that slot in the base for the cable is a big improvement as mine is now a few years old and does not have one which was a poor design fault. I drilled a hole in the side to fit the thermostat. Otherwise it has been great.

[@GrowParadise]

It’s great to hear that yours has been good. Thanks for watching 👍🪴🌱

[@colinmoore8553]

Hi the seed tray that you have mentioned has holes in it if that's the case would that damage the heated base ?

[@ronnievincent1097]

Hi, great video. Recently bought one and setting it up. Although not yet fitted the lights a quick look and I think a small ‘spacer’ between the side and the light bracket on both ends will help set it a bit further away from the side and subsequently create a slightly larger gap between it and the lids? Will try and update when fully installed

[@GrowParadise]

That’s an interesting idea, have you managed to try it yet?

[@kaipirinja4128]

cool informativ Video...thx 😀✌

[@mosessxz]

Thanks for a very informative video. Which smart plug did u get to control the Vitopod to turn on and off and what’s the name of the Bluetooth hygrometer that you have shown on this video clip please? 😊

[@thombaz]

I built a low voltage one with temperature controller, but never actually used it because the inside temperature is always perfect. :D

[@thombaz]

When I tested it I put the probe in the ground. Because I think the soil temperature is more important for the seesling then the air tamperature, and if het leaks away with the air, the seeds in the ground can get too much heat.

[@thombaz]

Yeah its say in the instructions that vitopod's probe can not be inserted in the soil.

[@veramoder5958]

great video and full list of links, I just cant find the link where to buy the lights and the clear brackets ,Can I get one ?

[@GrowParadise]

Hi, I bought them from greenhouse sensation 👍🌱

[@michaelconnolly9470]

I got one but not heating up why don't know

[@843thebear]

Great video, thanks. I received my double length Vitopod yesterday and noticed the two lids sit perfectly next to each other with no overlap at all. I wonder if they have changed the design?

[@GrowParadise]

Mine only don't fit when I have the lights attached, have you got the lights on yours?

[@843thebear]

@@GrowParadise Understood, no I don't have the lights attached.

[@nigelsmith4667]

Craig I have that vitopod without lights. The lids still overlap. It's a design flaw.

[@GrowParadise]

Hi Nigel, thanks for letting me know. It’s a tad annoying considering the rest of it fits so well!😒🪴

[@smdhorat]

I have the same problem too.

[@mzundastud07]

Same here 🙋🏻‍♀️ did worry I’d done something wrong - but clearly not!

[@josvliet3725]

I have the same one with the led and no problems with it, it fits perfect. Thanks for the nice video

[@1ilgrillo]

Hi Craig, Great review, thanks. Not sure if I missed it but what is the temp range of the Vitopod system? Can't see a spec for it anywhere. I see you are monitoring th ambient air temp.What air temp would be used for germinating the main palm seeds, and the temp for banana seeds? I an starting to populate my garden with topicals and will buy some palms but will prob germinate a lot more. Many Thanks.

[@GrowParadise]

Hello! I think it goes up to 30•C, but it will only heat 12•C higher than the ambient temperature in the space you have it set up. So if your greenhouse is 0•C it will only be able to heat to 12•C.

[@1ilgrillo]

@@GrowParadise Thks Craig I was wondering about that, Cheers.

[@Dindoes]

Hello all vitopod owners. I have just realised the inside of my base is full of air so I can push down on the plastic and it bounces back up. This doesn’t seem right. Does anyone else have this issue or have I received a faulty one? Thanks

[@GrowParadise]

I cant speak for everyone else but Mine is not like this 👍

[@Dindoes]

@@GrowParadise thanks for letting me know. Great help again!

[@liamnicg]

Which one did you have before this one ?

[@GrowParadise]

I used a windowsill propagator, I think it may have been a ‘Stewart’. It did the trick most of the time but left pools of water on the windowsill and lots of my seedling grew leggy as they leaned towards the light. It also got REALLY HOT on sunny days and would cook lots of seedlings 🌱

[@ironian24]

subbed and hit the bell and it's a thumbs up from me. thx for the info.

[@simondo55]

Are you aware when your element shorts out you cannot fix it it's sealed that's the issue .

[@GrowParadise]

I guess that makes sense, everything is so sealed in to keep it waterproof. Has yours shorted out?

[@pamdavenport1166]

My husband has had one of these propagators for several years now. The comments in your video are exactly his comments when he bought the large base one. Again panels were broken and replaced. The none waterproof plug still exists we note. We did tell them 5 years ago. Really trading standards ought to get involved and sort this out. The thermostat failed after the first season, despite being packed away in good dry conditions. It was replaced. We live in an area where the mobile phone signal is poor so he relies on timers to switch the propagator on and off and the light switch. You have to put compost or peat to maintain moisture in the base. Having lids helps to start with but the seeds need to be pricked out and looked at to maintain good but not leggy growth. He puts a polythene bag over the none waterproof plug and hangs it up in the roof space . The other high dome propagator he has is no longer made by a firm in Lye Birmingham. They have a good thermostat and the high dome is higher than the Vitapod with the extension. Some British company needs to start producing something like this.

[@GrowParadise]

Great comment, thanks for sharing these tips 👍 there’s some ideas here i might have to borrow 🙂 thanks for watching Pam 🪴🌱🌿

[@Dindoes]

Nice Vid. You could probably sort the lid issue out by using some small washers on the suction pad to bring the holder out as there is some leeway with the suction pad screw length.

[@GrowParadise]

It's a good idea for a work around 😁👍

[@Dindoes]

@@GrowParadise it looks like it’s pushing in from the top though so you could get some more suction pads and stick them higher and pack it with something like sticky foam pads

[@helenneal2609]

Hi, just discovered your video. It was really clear and informative. Thank you. I am in the process of buying a large Vitapod. I want to use it all year round. Is there a book that you can recommend for me that will help maximise its use please?

[@GrowParadise]

There are lots of propagation tips online, I'm not sure about any specific books.

[@helenneal2609]

Thank you for your reply. When will the Vitapod propagators be available again please?

[@mrchuffy6535]

Excellent bit of kit but its almost impossible to get an extra layer these days!

[@GrowParadise]

Yes I've heard that, luckily I ordered as many as I could afford at the time.

[@mrchuffy6535]

@@GrowParadise I rang about and apparently they have gone out of business

[@Asenath33]

I have set it up now. One of the suction cups on the light kit doesn't work well. Everytime I turn my back it pops off. It has occured to me as well that this is not really going to work in a heated room if you want lower ambient temperatures. This is obvious (doh!) but still worth saying? I was going to put mine in an unheated lean to, but stupidly didn't measure things up correctly and it's too big to go in there, so it's now in the spare bedroom. (Not much chance of visitors in the current Covid circumstances anyway...) I suppose I *could* turn the radiator off.

[@GrowParadise]

Glad to hear you got it built! Mine was a lot bigger than I anticipated too 😂 hopefully you’ve already got it crammed full of plants? 🌱🌿🪴🌱🌿

[@petercastell4450]

I bought a large one earlier this which I'm very pleased with, you talked about the condensation staying in the propagator this can be a problem how ever carefully you level the propagator it will puddle in a corner causing over wet pots, I think a drain would be useful. I intend to experiment with a divider so hopefully it would be possible to lower the temperature in half of it while there are still seeds that need a higher temperature

[@GrowParadise]

That's an interesting idea, let me know how it goes 😁👍🪴

[@philkelly2895]

Great video ......... it looks like watering the plants requires you to remove the upper layers?

[@GrowParadise]

You’ll need to remove the lids, but not the layers 👍🪴

[@andyd3955]

Thanks for all of the info really helpful, made the process very easy

[@GrowParadise]

You're welcome! ☺️

[@josieblanco4587]

Thanks for your channel I'm from philippines

[@GrowParadise]

Thanks for watching, I bet you’ve got a beautiful tropical garden 🪴

[@adrianburrows1]

Great video Craig! I’m getting a green house at some point this year and had been interested in the Vitapod 100w propagator and it’s bang for buck value, so great to hear it’s worth the £££.

[@GrowParadise]

Hi Adrian, great to hear you are getting a greenhouse this year! You’ll love it, it’s just hard finding room in it to grow all the plants we want 🌱😂🪴🌿

[@pamdavenport1166]

Make sure you put in a conduit in the base construction to enable you to put a water pipe and an armoured electric cable to a suitable electric plug arrangement.