Start Growing with the Bio Dome

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Simplify Seed Starting

The Park Seed Bio Dome is the premier indoor seed starting system, tested and proven over decades by America's gardeners. This guide gives you step-by-step instructions to ensure a successful starting.

benefits of starting seeds in a Bio Dome

Step 1: Prepare the Bio Sponges

Place your desired number of Bio Sponge refills into a bowl of tepid water.
Allow them to soak for approximately 15 minutes.
Ensure each sponge is fully saturated; if not, gently squeeze them underwater to facilitate absorption.

Step 2: Insert Sponges into the Planting Block

Once fully expanded, insert the hydrated sponges into the holes of the Styrofoam planting block.

Step 3: Sow the Seeds

For most seed varieties, place one or more seeds into the pre-dibbled hole at the center of each sponge.
For smaller seeds or those requiring light for germination, place them on the surface of the sponge without covering.

Step 4: Maintain Moisture Levels

Keep the sponges moist by adding ¼ to ½ inch of water to the tray.
Alternatively, lightly mist over the top of the styrofoam block.
Avoid heavy top watering to prevent dislodging seeds.

Step 5: Cover and Monitor

Place the clear dome over the tray to maintain humidity.
Keep the vents closed until seeds germinate.
Refer to individual seed packets for specific heat or light requirements.
If heat is necessary, position the Bio Dome on a heat mat.
If light is required, place the Bio Dome under a grow light or in a sunny window.

Step 6: Post-Germination Care

Maintain sponge moisture by ensuring ¼ to ½ inch of water remains in the bottom tray.
Park’s Bio Sponges are designed to retain optimal moisture levels, reducing the need for additional watering.
Open vents or remove cover once seeds have germinated.

Step 7: Seedling Development

After seedlings emerge, provide increased light by moving them to a bright window, under a grow light, or to a protected outdoor area.
Continue to water with a diluted fertilizer solution following the instructions included with your Bio Dome kit.
Water the seedlings with this solution as needed to keep the sponges moist.
If multiple seeds were sown per sponge and more than one seed per sponge has germianted, thin the seedlings to retain the strongest seedling and remove others by cutting them at the base with sharp scissors.

Step 8: Transplanting

Transplant seedlings when they have two or more sets of leaves or when roots have reached the bottom of the sponge.
To check root development, gently push the sponge up from the bottom of the block.
Before transplanting, ensure the sponges are slightly moist.
When planting into containers or directly into the ground, ensure the top of the sponge is level with or slightly below the soil surface to prevent drying out.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Mold Growth: If mold appears, increase ventilation by slightly opening the dome vents or removing the dome briefly each day. Ensure you're not overwatering, as excessive moisture can promote mold growth.
Damping Off: This fungal disease causes seedlings to collapse and die. To prevent it, maintain proper air circulation, avoid overwatering, and ensure cleanliness in your seed-starting area.
Uneven Germination: Ensure consistent moisture and temperature levels. Rotate the tray periodically to provide even light exposure, especially if using a window for light.

The Science Behind Bio Sponges

Park’s Bio Sponges are crafted from a proprietary, sterile, and porous material that provides an ideal air-to-water ratio. This design ensures:

Optimal Moisture Retention: The sponges hold just the right amount of water, preventing both drying out and waterlogging.
Enhanced Root Development: The structure promotes downward root growth, leading to stronger and healthier plants.
Easy Transplantation: The cohesive yet flexible nature of the sponges allows for minimal root disturbance during transplanting.