Alex 'The Soothing' Aloe Character Micro Dome

Planting and Care Instructions  

-Place your decal on your terrarium base.
-Place the germination disk inside the base of the dome and slowly add 1 cup of water directly on the disk. Use a spoon to spread the mixture that will immediately start growing.
-Use the spoon to aerate and evenly space soil across the dome and press smooth. You can add up to another ¼ cup of water if you need to.
-Spread your seeds on top of the germination mixture at least ½ inch apart. Cover seeds with gravel and press down 1/8 inch into the soil.
-Aloes need a blanket of gravel or they will flip their tap root out into the air and not be able to drink when they sprout. It is silly, but true!
-Place your stake and Blue Jasper stone in your Aloe garden. Put the lid on the base, lining up the tabs and viewing window with the decal.
-Place planted terrarium in bright indirect light, where it will not easily be knocked over. Aloe can thrive in many light conditions, including full sun.
-Seeds will germinate in 4 to 8 weeks.
-Keep top on until your plants reach the top, then remove. Prune any dead foliage from plants to encourage their growth.
-You will need to water once a month or so when you remove the top. Aloe plants can tolerate long dry spells. You can tell how dry or wet they by how plump their foliage is. It is important to let the soil thoroughly dry out for a few days (at least) between waterings.
-New little Aloe plants will form around your original plant. You can let them grow or remove them and plant them on their own!

Alex ‘The Soothing’ Aloe FAQ
How long will my Aloe plants take to sprout? 
Your Aloe seeds take one to two months to sprout.

What is the process for sprouting my Aloe?
First, hydrate the soil with the amount of water recommended in the instructions. You can do this right in the base of your Micro Dome. Once hydrated, aerate your soil and then smooth out the top. Place or sprinkle your Aloe seed where you would like and cover it with 1/8” of soil. Place a thin layer of gravel on top of the area and gently press into the soil.

What is the gravel for?  
The gravel serves a very important purpose, and you must cover your seeds with gravel, as their top root often points upwards into the air when they sprout. The gravel holds the tap root in place, so the seedling can grow. It will keep your seedlings in place during watering and prevent soil compaction as well. The gravel also reduces fungal growth.

How often do I have to water my Micro Dome?
Once mature, water your Aloe sparingly. Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. Typically, watering every 1-2 months if your Micro Dome top is on and every 2-3 weeks if the Micro Dome top is off is sufficient.

Can I propagate my Aloe?
Yes! Aloe can be propagated from offsets. Carefully remove the offsets from the parent plant and plant them in their own section of the terrarium or another pot.

Why are my Aloe leaves turning brown?
Aloe leaves can turn brown due to overwatering, underwatering, or excessive direct sunlight. Be sure to water properly and give your Aloe adequate sunlight. You can use sharp scissors or pruners to remove dead leaves.

Please email us at service@toysbynature.com if you have any questions or experience any issues with this item.  Please email us directly and do not contact the reseller you purchased this from.