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Originally Posted by JimMc
I've noticed that I CAN get a second growth of wheatgrass after cutting, as suggested by Wigmore. However, there is a big difference in the grass. The first cutting derives much of its nutrients from the grain itself, while the second cutting derives all of its nutrients from the soil, because the grain has been consumed. Therefore the second cutting is much less sweet, much more like "lawn grass". Not so good.
I am having to cover my seeds with some soil when planting. Why? Our house seems to be infested with these really tiny fruit flies. I assume they are fruit flies because they always go after any fruit we have that starts going bad. They also go after the wheat berries, therefore I must keep those jars covered with a breathable lid that keeps them out. And when planting, I must cover the berries for the same reason -- the darned flies. A thin layer of dirt keeps the flies off. The dirt goes on dry, powdery, then I squirt it with a fine mist from a squirt bottle to dampen it.
There is a commercial operation in town that sells trays of grass to the health food stores. The stores charge $15 for a 10x20 tray, so I don't feel so bad about the work I put into growing my own. The trays in the store use some sort of dirt -- potting soil of some type, about 1.5 inches deep. The seeds are laid on top of the soil without any cover. So this commercial operation is apparently successful at growing the grass without covering the seeds. It must save time. I guess they don't have a fruit fly problem.
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Hello jim sorry to here about your infestation of mold gnats.I have experianced there infestation first hand.There lifespan is short so getting the upperhand will require some tools.Yellow sticky insect traps do the job really well.Go to gardensalive.com, click on insect control,go to page 2.This will give you an idea of what tools you need to win the battle for air superiority.These tools took care of my gnat problems.The gnats are no threat to your seed.But I imagine your wife isnt to thrilled about them.And on the issue of second cutting most people dont due to taste and quality of juice.And you got it right on the seed being spent,as far as the endosperm is concerned.Once this supply is used up the plant must uptake all its needs through the roots.Tray grown grass is extremely rootbound and unable to support long term growth.Time is important in maximizing the harvest potential of the grass.The growing medium is mainly for the sake of giving the grass a growth fondation.Sprouting for to long wastes presious time and energy of the seed.This time and energy will cost you juice yield in the end.If the seeds have roots in the sprouting jar then your wasting growing time and energy.Roots serve a purpous and thats to establish the plant in the growing medium.Not to do loops in a sprouting jar.And nodody grows in soil!Everyone that grows in trays uses soil augments.Such as peatmoss,composts,vermiculite,perlite and many othersubstances to nutrify the growing medium.There is no need to cover the seed with the growing medium your using.The only reason for covering would be to get a completly dark gowing condition.Most commecial growers have dark rooms.Good luck and happy growing!