Use and Care Manual / Installation Instructions
17
DO MAINTAIN TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY
Keep the room temperature between 55°F and 90°F (13°C and 32°C), and the humidity level in the cabinet between
30 and 60%.
DO KEEP IT CLEAN
Keep your growing environment clean. Clean the reservoir, reservoir lter and growing shelves every month accord-
ing to the cleaning instructions on pages 17-19.
DON’T OVERWATER
Overwatering, especially at the beginning of the growing cycle can bring on mold and mildew. Most watering cycles
have been pre-set for every 4 days and are usually sucient for most plants, depending on the ambient temperature
and humidity.
DO USE HUMIDITY DOMES DURING GERMINATION
The humidity domes increase the temperature and humidity to enhance germination. Keep them on the trays for the
rst 2-3 days, with the vents closed. Remove them when the seeds start to sprout.
DO USE PROPER SOIL OR MEDIA
Purchase clean potting soil from a reputable supplier. Make sure there is a lter pad in the bottom of the tray to keep
soil from running into the water reservoir. We have had good results with Happy Frog brand potting soil, but there
are many choices on the market. Don’t use garden soil as it can get compacted and interfere with proper watering. If
growing hydroponically, purchase mats or other hydroponic media such as perlite. Note: depending on the media,
growing results may be dierent than soil. You may have to experiment with hydroponic media to determine which
type works best for growing dierent plants. There are many resources online describing the use, pros and cons of
the dierent types of media that are available. For discussion on hydroponic growing media, consult
www.epicgardening.com
DON’T OVERFEED
Overfeeding can cause damage to plants. For best results follow the instructions on your nutrient bottle. Most quick
growing micro greens (one to two weeks) do not require any nutrients. Greens with a longer growing cycle (herbs,
arugula, etc.) or greens that are used for multiple harvests require nutrients, and should only be added after week one
or two at the earliest.
DO KEEP pH LEVELS BETWEEN 5 AND 7
Balance your pH level at 5 in the beginning of the growing cycle for best results, as the pH is likely to increase as the
cycle goes on. The cabinet is equipped with an automatic dosing system to keep pH levels from going too high. Be
sure to check your dosing bottle regularly to make sure it doesn’t run out. Low pH is rare, but if it occurs citric acid
(organic) or potassium hydrochloride can be used to raise the level. Make sure they are mixed according to manufac-
turer’s direction and used sparingly. These and other hydroponic supplies can be purchased at a local hydroponic
growing store or on the internet.
DO SOW SEEDS A LITTLE ON THE HEAVY SIDE
Thin out young plants and allow others to grow and ll out.
DO USE HYDROGEN PEROXIDE
If you accidentally keep your humidity domes on too long or overwater your seeds, they may develop powdery mil-
dew. You can spray them with a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water. Mix 1 tbsp. of hydrogen peroxide (17-35%
food grade) in 1 quart of water. Spray only the soil, as the solution can cause plants to rot in on themselves.
DO LOVE YOUR PLANTS!
Take time and care with your plants. Check them frequently for mold or other kinds of stress. You can see great
growth, even in one day!
GROWING DO’S AND DON’T’S