How to grow your Bloom Card
Bloom Cards are fun and easy to grow with each card featuring easy to follow instructions on the back.
I recommend starting to grow your Bloom Cards in early spring. In late spring/early summer (after the last frost) you can move your young plants outside and either plant straight into the garden or into patio pots.
Read on for additional tips for successfully growing your Bloom Cards.
Step One
Soak your card in water for 12 to 24 hours.
This will allow the seeds to absorb some water giving them a better chance of successful germination.
Step Two
Fill a pot or container with seed compost and water it so it’s damp but not soaking wet.
Where possible, use peat free compost as this reduces damage to natural wetlands and produces lower levels of carbon dioxide.
You can use any container to grow your seeds. Depending on the size of your container, you may need to use more than one. Terracotta pots are great for retaining moisture but you can also reuse plastic food trays. Cardboard tubes are great for planting seeds inside too.
Ensure your pot has some drainage holes in the bottom and place a tray underneath to catch surplus water. Pour any excess water away.
Step Three
Tear your paper into 1-2cm pieces and place into the pot of soil.
Tearing the paper will loosen the paper fibres and prevent the seedlings becoming trapped. Avoid cutting the paper with scissors as you could cut through the seeds.
Sprinkle a thin layer of soil over the paper (maximum 5mm thick) and water your pot.
Step Four
Place somewhere warm and sunny and water regularly.
A south facing windowsill is ideal but if this isn’t an option choose a position that gets the most light. Don’t let the paper dry out as this can affect the seeds’ ability to germinate.
The ideal temperature for growing your seeds is 20-25°C.
If your home is quite cool, you can keep your seeds warm by creating a greenhouse. To do this, simply place a clear container or cover over the top of your pot. If your container is small enough you could seal it inside a food storage bag. Leave a gap at the side or make some small holes in your cover to let the air circulate.
Enjoy watching your card bloom!
You should see your seeds starting to germinate within 7 to 10 days. They will need repotting around 3 weeks after they start growing or once the seedlings have started to grow one or two sets of true leaves (the leaves they grow after their first set of seedling leaves).
Transfer your seedlings into 2-3 inch diameter pots. If transplanting more than one plant into the same pot, ensure they have plenty of space to grow. Some plants need more space to grow than others.
Bloom Cards are made from recycled cotton and are 100% biodegradable. When you transfer your seedlings into larger pots, you may notice the paper has started to break down already.