When I returned on last Sunday, everything was dead, except the miscanthus sinesis go figure. So the lesson I learned was to not start perrenials in the heat of summer. I will attempt again next year for spring with better results hopefully. I was forced to place the plants outside in the garage for those days I was gone, and I think the heat was what ultimately did them in.
The Bio-Dome from Park Seed did, ultimately do as designed and I suspect I would have had viable plants if a series of errors on my part had been avoided.
- First I had planted way too early, and honestly should not have even attempted this until the winter time.
- Second, I left the Bio-Dome cover in place for too long. It is supposed to be removed the moment the seeds have sprouted and green leafs are visible. I did not understand my mistake with this until I talked to a staff herbologist at Park Seed. This is done to reduce humidity and the chance of a fungal infection, I left mine in place for almost a week too long, and every sponge was coated in a white fungus which I imagine ultimately helped to do in the plants.
- Last, I moved the seedlings outside too soon. Being the heat of August in East Texas the temperatures can exceed three digits, and the little guys were just not ready for such a difference in temperature.
