Bio Dome Instructions
1. Remove the Park-Start or Bio Dome Styrofoam blocks from the plastic wrap, keeping upright so that the plugs do not fall out. The plugs are ready to sow as they are. If sponges have dried, they will have shrunk in size and will need to be re-moistened. You can accomplish this by filling the green under tray with water and allowing the Styrofoam block to sit in the water until the sponges have absorbed enough moisture.
2. For most seed types, place two seeds into the pre-dibbled hole at the top of each plug. Very tiny seeds should be sown on the surface of the plug, not in the hole. Seeds do not need covering in the Park-Starts or Bio Dome plugs. Each plug provides the optimum environment for germination.
3. Place the germination units in a favorable location as indicated on the seed packet.
4. Re-moisten plugs by sprinkling lightly over the top of the Styrofoam block, or by partially filliing the under-tray with 1/4″ to 1/2″ inch of water. Do not flood with heavy top wtering, which may dislodge seeds.
5. Place clear plastic dome on green under-tray at this time, closing vents to retain high-humidity. Open these vents only after seedlings have emerged and are just above the surface of the plugs. Keep moist until seedlings emerge by retaining 1/4″ to 1/2″ inch water level in the under-tray. Because of their composition, the Bio-Sponges retain just the right amount of water, so there is no need to provide additional moisture.
6. After seedlings emerge, provide more light by moving Bio Dome to a bright window, under lights, or protected area outside. Mix a weak fertilizer solution, following directions on the free fertilizer packet included with your order. Water with this fertilizer solution as often as necessary to keep plugs moist by simply retaining the 1/4″ to 1/2″ inch level in the under-tray.
7. If you have double-sown, keep only the stronger seedling in each plug. Remove the other seedling by cutting the stem at the top of the plug with sharp scissors.
8. You may now remove the clear plastic dome to allow more fresh air to circulate around the seedlings and to harden them to the environment before transplanting. Increase the light levels to prevent the seedlings from stretching and producing a weak plant. Brighter light will help keep the seedling short and stout.
9. Transplant seedlings when they have 2 or more sets of true leaves. Another way to tell if your plugs are ready to transplant is to push a plug up from the bottom and check to see if it has white roots reaching to the bottom of the plug. To remove plugs for transplanting, first water if they are dry, then push the plug up from the bottom and transplant to desired location. Whether transplanting into a container or directly into the ground, do not allow the planted plugs to to be exposed to the air. Be sure they are slightly covered with soil.
10. If weather or timing delays your transplanting of young plants, prop the trays up on one side at an angle (about 1/2″-1″inch) to allow air circulation beneath them. This helps to build a stronger root system. You will need to apply the fertilizer solution to the top of the Styrofoam blocks as seedlings dry out, while it is propped up.
11. The Park Bio Done Seed Starter is also an excellent system for rooting jumbo cuttings. Use the system the same as you would for starting seeds, making sure the Bio Sponges are moist by placing 1/4″ to 1/2″ inch of water in the green under-tray. Stick cuttings into the dibbled holes. Apply a light misting with a mist bottle over the cuttings if they should wilt during the rooting process. The clear dome should be left on at all times with the vents closed to retain humidity until cuttings are rooted and don’t wilt. Once cuttings have rooted, you can open vents or completely remove the dome if the Bio Starter is placed in a protected area. Push the rooted cuttings up from the bottom to check on rooting progress, when they are ready to be transplanted, plant in a desired location.
