![]() ![]() I’ve put together a little list of some Do’s and Don’t when it comes to seed starting. Learning the hard way isn’t the most fun way to start seeds, so hopefully you can avoid making these same mistakes. Seriously, I’ve found some pretty lame ways to waste expensive seed and lots of creative ways to kill baby plants over the years. There’s nothing I hate more than seeing trays of beautiful little baby flowers go downhill before my eyes because I overwatered, underwatered, or got too excited about transplanting and didn’t properly harden them off. In the Floret Shop, I’ve included sowing and growing instructions for dozens of my favorite flowers. Here on the blog, you’ll find a post covering Seed Starting Basics. In the Floret Resources section, I have created a little Starting Seeds 101 tutorial and photo essay (be sure to click the arrows to advance the images) with some of the basics. In addition to some of the tips I’m sharing today, I want to make sure you know about a couple other sources of info here on the Floret site: One of my goals here on the blog is to provide you with the best information, to help you grow great flowers and hopefully dispel the notion that success is only possible for professionals. Then, you can remove the dome if you have seedlings and will be moving them outside or onto direct sunlight.Starting your own seeds can be intimidating for new gardeners, but once you get the hang of it, there’s nothing to fear. You can allow air to circulate once in a while during the seed stage, and more often if the seeds have started to germinate. During this time, you don’t need to expose the seed to direct sunlight, so it’s best to keep it indoors and in an area that gets bright light. Venting can be done when the weather gets hot and at noon. One advantage of using a humidity dome is that you won’t need to water as much. To do this, you’ll need a pan that has water, then slowly lower the seed tray until the soil is visibly wet. You can use a spray that is set to wide, a water bottle with a hole in the cap, or via bottom watering. Watering seeds in trays should be done carefully since there’s a chance that the seed will be disturbed or dislodged from its place. If unsure, follow the directions on the seed packet. In addition, you may need to make small indentations or tap the seed lightly so it makes contact with the soil. Some will need to be sowed an inch or two deep, while others will be fine being sprinkled at the soil surface. Sowing your seeds into the humidity dome may be a bit trickier since every plant will have its own recommended depth. Add more when the soil begins to sink, then stop when you reach a few centimeters at the top.ĭo not add fertilizer yet as the seeds won’t need it at this stage. Start by filling up the cells with the mix and spraying them with water to moisten them. The best soil medium for starting seeds in a humidity dome is regular seed-starting soil. Here’s a step-by-step guide to getting it done. Using a humidity dome is fairly easy, and it’s similar to planting a seed in a container. It’s also a recommended seed-starting tool for those who don’t have the time nor the patience to monitor soil moisture and humidity levels. You can remove the cover if the seedlings are ready for more light and won’t need to stay in a humid atmosphere.Ī humidity dome is a must for gardeners who want to achieve a high seed germination rate. This ensures that the seeds or small starts won’t die of heat and/or too much moisture in the soil and environment. Venting can be done once a day and when the room temperature is hot. Seedlings won’t need as high a humidity as before- they now need sunlight and room or outdoor temperature to continue growing. It’s recommended that you vent to allow air to circulate through your seedlings and to avoid mold. You’ll know when to vent the humidity dome or remove the cover when the first part of the seed-growing process is over, specifically sprouting the seeds. Otherwise, users will have to manually remove the cover or lid to get the same effect. Some humidity domes will have ‘vents’, or openings that you can use to allow air inside. It also has the side benefit of keeping pests and insects away and reducing the need to mist or water the soil to keep it moist. The dome, or cover, traps moisture and improves humidity levels, which is one of the requirements to achieve a high germination rate. The structure creates a ‘greenhouse effect’ by trapping heat and moisture inside, thereby creating an optimal condition for seeds to sprout. Humidity domes are primarily used to start seeds indoors and within a controlled environment. Vent the Dome as Necessary When Should I Remove the Humidity Dome? ![]()
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