Date:   6/12/2006 1:52:17 PM ( 19 y ago)
Popularity:   message viewed 3008 times
URL:   http://www.curezone.org/blogs/c/fm.asp?i=996592

I have been looking around the internet to find what others have done to minimize mold on my trays of Wheatgrass. To date this is how I am growing Wheatgrass. I put the seeds in the freezer for 48 hours. I have read that this will kill any mold that is lingering on the seeds. 6 months ago when I first started growing, I put a mixture of 2/3 organic compost and 1/3 seed starting material [vermiculite, Canadian sphagnum peat moss, perlite, dolomitic limestone for pH adjustment, wetting agent] in the tray to an even depth of 1 inch. This takes about 8 cups of material. I than spread 3 tablespoons of dried kelp evenly on the tray as this will add minerals and trace elements tI added 3 tablespoons of green sand and 4 tablespoons of ground up eggshells on top of kelp for added minerals. I add another inch of planting medium on top of soil amendments. I Press the growing material down firmly to remove dead air spaces. Sprouted Wheatgrass seeds, the roots are twice as long as the seeds, are spread evenly on top. I spray our well water on the tray and let the excess run out the holes in the bottom of the tray. A tray with no holes is placed on top of the seeded flat to keep out the light and hold moisture close to the sprouted seeds. Another tray with no holes is put underneath to catch any water that might drain out.

Because I have read that mold forms when there is excess moisture, I only water the crop from the bottom. I do this by setting the tray of Wheatgrass on ¾ thick wood blocks in another tray that has no holes in it. It takes about 2 quarts of water to bring the level of water to the top of the blocks. The roots of the growing Wheatgrass come out of the bottom of its tray and will suck up all the water the plans need to grow. I am growing the crop in the shade, outside. Each morning I find small droplets of water on the top of the plant leaves, which I knock off with my hand. So far, this has produced crops that are lush without much problem with mold. After I cut the first growth, if I see any sign of mold, I spray a solution of 1 ounce of bleach per gallon of water on the tray to stop any future mold growth. I have found that the clear 8 ½ inch square containers at the salad bar in the grocery store work very well for storing the cut Wheatgrass in the refrigerator. When I asked the store manager how much he would charge me for six empty trays, he gave them to me no charge.

 

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