Place your desired number of sponge refills in a bowl of tepid water and soak for approximately 15 minutes.
At the end of that time, the refills will have expanded (if sponges have not completely swollen with water, hold them under water and repeatedly squeeze them lightly to help the sponges absorb the water), then insert into the holes of the Styrofoam block.
For most seed varieties, place one or more seeds in the pre-dibbled hole at the center of each plug. When sowing smaller seeds, place them on the surface of the plug, not into the hole. Also, sow seeds on the surface of the sponge if light is required for germination.
Keep sponges moist by filling the tray with ¼ to ½-inch of water, or by sprinkling or misting lightly over the top of the Styrofoam block. Do not flood the sponges with heavy top watering, this may dislodge seeds.
Cover the tray with the clear dome. Keep vents closed until seeds germinate. Be sure to read each seed packet for instructions on heat or light requirements for germination. If heat is required, place the Bio Dome kit on a heat mat. If light is required, place the Bio Dome kit under a grow light or in a sunny window.
Keep sponges moist until seedlings emerge by maintaining ¼ to ½-inch of water in the tray. Because of their composition, Park’s Bio-Sponges retain just the right amount of water, so there is no need to provide additional moisture.
After seedlings emerge, provide more light by moving to a bright window, under a grow light, or to a protected area outside. Mix a weak fertilizer solution, following directions on the fertilizer included with your Bio Dome kit. Water with this fertilizer solution as often as necessary to keep plugs moist.
Note: If you have double sown the seeds, but only want one plant, keep only the strongest plant in each plug. Remove others by cutting them off at the base with sharp scissors.
Transplant when seedlings have two or more sets of leaves or when roots have reached the bottom of the sponge. Check roots by pushing the sponge up from the bottom of the block. 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 sponges to dry out. Be sure the sponges are slightly covered with soil.
