Sunny Smile Sunflower

Place your seed pod in the Rise Gardens nursery tray with the label facing up. Add water until the pods are saturated, then place the grow dome on top to maintain humidity. Keep the dome on until you see sprouts emerging (usually 3-10 days depending on the plant). Once sprouted, remove the dome so leaves can develop properly.

Look for 2 sets of true leaves - these are the leaves that appear after the initial round seed leaves (cotyledons). At this stage, the roots are developed enough to absorb nutrients from your garden. For most plants, this happens 7-14 days after germination. Gently lift the pod from the nursery and place it in an empty spot in your Rise Garden.

Add nutrients once per week. Use Sprout nutrients for leafy plants and during the vegetative growth stage of all plants. Switch to Blossom nutrients when you see flowers forming on fruiting plants (tomatoes, peppers, etc.). The Rise Gardens app tracks your plants and sends reminders when it's time to add nutrients.

Yellow leaves usually indicate one of these issues: 1) Low nutrients - add nutrients if it's been more than a week. 2) Low water - check that water levels are above minimum. 3) Natural aging - bottom leaves naturally yellow as the plant grows; just remove them. 4) Too much light - ensure your plant is in the correct shade group position.

Yes, for most plants! Herbs and leafy greens are "cut-and-come-again" - harvest outer leaves or up to 1/3 of the plant, and it will regrow for multiple harvests. Fruiting plants (tomatoes, peppers) continuously produce fruit for months. Microgreens are the exception - they're harvested all at once and won't regrow.

Since there are no bees indoors, you'll need to hand pollinate tomatoes, peppers, and other fruiting plants. When flowers are fully open, use a small paintbrush or cotton swab to gently brush the center of each flower. Transfer pollen between flowers by touching multiple blooms. Do this every few days while plants are flowering.

Germination time is how long until you see the first sprout emerge from the pod - typically 3-10 days. Harvest time is when you can start picking from your plant - this ranges from 7 days for microgreens to 12+ weeks for fruiting plants.

Causes: Nutrient deficiency, overwatering, natural aging of lower leaves, or too much/little light.

Solutions: Add nutrients if it's been over a week. Check water levels aren't too high. Remove naturally yellowing bottom leaves. Verify plant is in correct shade group position.

Causes: Low water levels, root problems, temperature stress, or transplant shock.

Solutions: Check and refill water immediately. Inspect roots for brown/slimy appearance. Keep garden away from heat sources and cold drafts.

Causes: Insufficient light, low nutrients, overcrowding, cold temperatures, or pH imbalance.

Solutions: Ensure lights are on 14-16 hours daily. Add nutrients weekly. Thin overcrowded plants. Keep garden in warm area (65-75°F).

Causes: Fungus gnats from damp conditions; aphids hitchhike on other plants or through windows.

Solutions: For gnats: let pod surfaces dry, use yellow sticky traps. For aphids: spray leaves with water, wipe off pests, or use diluted dish soap spray.

Causes: Algae from light exposure to water, root rot from stagnant water, or bacterial growth.

Solutions: Keep tank covered to block light. Ensure water is circulating properly. Clean tank between plantings. Trim brown, mushy roots.

Cause: Not enough maturity, wrong nutrients, or insufficient light.

Solution: Be patient. Switch to Blossom nutrients when buds appear. Ensure adequate light.

Cause: Stress from temperature changes, moving plant, or water inconsistency.

Solution: Keep garden in stable location. Maintain consistent water and nutrients.