When to remove domes?

[clumsythumbs]

I am just over a week into my herb garden, and skimming through the short guide they include with the seed kits and realized it does not discuss when to add domes (or really much information at all, tbh).  I tried to read through some posts here, but did not see this asked anywhere.... but wondering when am I supposed to remove the domes?

In the guide that Shawn has posted, (which...why doesn't AG include these in the seed pods or the machines?) it says once the seeds germinate and poke above the opening.  If that is the case, I am 'late' on it.  I guess I was imagining doing it when they 'hit' the top of the dome.  Any thoughts or experiences?  When is it too early? Too late?  I am sure this has been asked and answered many times, but a quick search and a mini-perusal came up short...

Both of my basils are nearly to the top, and I suspect some of my lettuces will be there in the next day or two.  My understanding is the domes provide protection and humidity to help the seeds germinate and sprout faster, more or less a greenhouse effect.  Thanks!

[Shawn]

Good questions. 

For the Domes:   When you plant, always place a dome on top to aid in germination.  Once they germinate, they should be removed BEFORE they hit the sides or top of the domes.  If they do manage to touch the dome, you can see brown spots on any leaves that are there.  99.9% of the time there is no need to worry.  Only those leaves that touch may get those spots.

For Peppers, I remove the domes as soon as they pop over the label.  For herbs, I leave them on a little longer but again do NOT let them touch the domes.  For the most part they are removed once they are above the label.

A great source of information is the AeroGarden Q&A and AG Videos thread.  I know there are two videos on the first page about Domes.

I remove domes when they are just above the cardboard circle. If they are bumping the sides and top..it is not good for your plants.That's just what I do.If you read the paper leaflet guide that comes with the machine it does state when to remove the domes

section  3  planting your garden under "add grow domes"

.www.aerogarden.com/media/wysiwyg/kbase/QSG_AG_Harvest-Harvest_Elite_09.23.15_HighRes.pdf

Sometimes I don;t even bother to add the domes.

[Shawn]

I forgot about that guide @cornne.  Thanks for posting.

There is just so much we miss when we get our new gardens, and want to plant a new project. I know there are things in the guides that I have never read ..once we get planted , we are off and running and just apply it to the next project, sometimes overlooking the tips in the guides. I do that a lot and am always going back to the customer service resource data base.

[clumsythumbs]

THANK YOU ALL!!  

Ok, yes...I KNEW i read/saw somewhere to remove when they 'nearly' touch the domes.  

Ok, so definitely ready to remove the domes on some of them.  Right after I wrote this post, I checked again and just since this morning the Thai Basil went from near the dome lid to touch the top   And most of the lettuces are now fully above the opening and creating mini half domes, so close to touching the sides.  Big advancements since yesterday even!


Strangely, or maybe not, the Chinese Cabbage in my Bounty went from "I think there is a seeding germinating" yesterday to now suddenly being over the label opening.  There is a brown spot on one of the leaves, but I realized upon closer inspection it is just the outer seed shell that it is shedding.  

Thanks again Shawn and @cornne!

[Happy]

Jan 21, 2019 11:59:43 GMT -5 @cornne said:

I remove domes when they are just above the cardboard circle. ...

Sometimes I don;t even bother to add the domes.

Agreed, on both counts.