#Humidity dome for seedlings diy how to#

You can learn more about it in my article here. Mold or fungus growth on seedlings is called damping off. For instance, high humidity levels over extended periods of time can lead to mold growth in soil or on seedlings. In some cases, vent holes in a dome are helpful if high humidity is a problem. The purpose of the dome is to trap moisture in the air underneath the cover and increase humidity. Strictly speaking, a humidity dome does not need holes. It also helps to prevent seedlings from getting too hot under the dome. This is a real life-saver (or plant saver) when you want to help your seedlings to acclimate to the environment outside of the dome. These vents make it easy to control moisture levels under the dome. Many humidity domes come with adjustable humidity vents to let in air or let out water. For more information, check out humidity domes on the Bootstrap Farmer website.

You can find some humidity domes that are 7.5 inches high or taller. You can buy humidity domes to fit a standard 10 inch by 20 inch seed tray. If you also want to propagate plants from cuttings, choose a taller tray. Many domes will fit a standard size 10” by 20” plant propagation tray ( seed tray). Rectangular Humidity Dome – this is the most common type, since they fit perfectly over many common seed trays.Square Humidity Dome – you can also find square humidity domes, such as this 5 inch by 5 inch one from Bootstrap Farmer.However, you could also use a cloche as a humidity dome, such as this one from Gardener’s Supply Company. Round Humidity Dome – also called cloches, there are often used to protect a single plant from cold and pests.You can also buy humidity domes in many shapes and sizes, including: If you wish, you can make your own humidity dome (more on this later).

#Humidity dome for seedlings diy how to#

If you need to increase the humidity, check out my article on the best humidity level for plants (and how to achieve it). This humidity level is much easier to achieve under a humidity dome.

Ideally, the relative humidity will be at 98% to germinate seeds. This keeps the growing medium moist, which encourages seed germination. This trapped moisture increases the relative humidity under the dome. However, the main purpose of a humidity dome is trap moisture in the air and soil underneath the cover. A humidity dome also traps heat in the air and soil underneath, acting as a sort of mini greenhouse. The dome is usually clear, since this will let in sunlight for newly sprouted seedlings. You can make your own humidity dome from plastic bottles, plastic wrap, trays, pots, and food containers. A humidity dome may be made of plastic or glass. What Is A Humidity Dome?Ī humidity dome is a cover used on top of a container that holds the growing medium (soil) and seeds. This gives you a higher germination rate, which reduces wasted seeds.Ī higher germination rate is helpful if you are trying to germinate older seeds.įor more information, check out my article on how long seeds last.

Higher Germination Rate – a humidity dome keeps the soil warm and moist, which gives seeds the ideal conditions to sprout.

Seed Protection – whether you start seeds indoors or in a greenhouse, a humidity dome will protect seeds from pests and diseases that spread on the wind.

Some seeds (such as tomatoes and peppers) germinate faster at warmer soil temperature.

Faster Germination – a humidity dome can also act as a mini greenhouse, trapping heat in the air and soil underneath.

However, a humidity dome has several benefits when starting seeds, including: You do not need a humidity dome for seeds, but it can make germination easier. (If you want a complete seed starting walkthrough with video and other resources, check out our seed starting course today!) We’ll also get into some ways you can make your own humidity dome. In this article, we’ll take a look at humidity domes and answer some common questions about them. For example, does the humidity dome need vent holes, and do you need light to germinate seeds in a humidity dome? Of course, there are other questions to consider if you decide to use a humidity dome. It will also reduce the time and effort you need to keep soil moist for seed germination. However, a humidity dome will help you to get higher germination rates for your seeds. So, do you need a humidity dome for seeds? You do not need a humidity dome for seeds – they will still germinate without it. A humidity dome will help to get a higher germination rate to avoid wasting seeds, but it costs money to buy one or time to build one. If you are starting your own plants from seed, a humidity dome may be on your mind.