week wheatgrass?

Hello,

I am at my wits end with my wheatgrass that I have been growing. I am doing all the right things, I am soaking, sprouting watering, avoiding mold, everything is going as planned. However, my grass does not grow very tall, and produces very little juice. A full tray that I make appears to only give me about 6 one ounce shots servings. But when I buy a ready made flat from the health food store I get at least twice as much. I tought that maybe I was harvesting it too quickly, and not allowing it to grow taller and healthier. But if I wait too long, over 10 days, it just gets old becomes dry. Any ideas?

The yield will be subject to seed,growing medium,and growing conditions.After 3 months of tracking and expieramenting with differant soil augments and amounts.I found what worked for the growing conditions in my area.If you are harvesting 6ozs. a flat of 21/11inch. your doing fine.But as with all things in life there is room for improvement.You didnt mention how much seed per flat,size of flat,growing medium or how much medium?Growing inside with growlights,or outside,to many variables to comment on why your yield is only6ozs.However that being said better seed + better soil along with some other mods to your growing tech. will improve your yield!I am aveaging 10-12ozs. per flat of wheat and barley.Feel free to shoot me an email for a more detailed breakdown of my growing tech.Happy growing and good health!

thank you for your reply! The amount of seeds I am using is between 1 cup to 1 and 1/2 cups per 21 inch tray. I am growing it outdoors, in the shade. It has been rather hot lately, however, I have had problems even in perfect temperatures. I buy the wheat seed at the bulk bin at the healthfood store "hard winter berries". I am using generic gardening soil, with no specific fertilization. Maybe that is the problem. I will juice large handfulls of it, like I see the people at the health food do and I barely get any juice. The pulp that comes out the other end of the juicer is relitively squezed out meaning the juicer is doing the job ok, but I just think the grass itself is not very "juicy". The good thing is I don't have the mold issue that everyone talks about, and I'm not doing anything special to controll it. Anyway, my only conclusion is that it is the soil and lack of fertilizer. What do you thnk about getting a composter?

The seed your using may be limiting your harvest.In order to get a uniform sprout and growth the protein% of the seeds need to be simaler.If the bulk seed is from a mill the seed has been blended for the coustomers need.Some seed will be higher in protein than others.This leads to an uneven sprout and growth issues.The seed I got from wheatgrassman.com is the best ive found so far.This seed alone increased my yield by 30%.Compared to the seed I got from wheatgrasskits.com.The seeds were grown side by side in the same growing conditions.I tried conventional fertalizers Peters 20/20/20.in the dirt and ozmoticaly.There was no benafit to adding ferts. to the wheatgrass.There was however notisable browning of the blade tips"burning".The roots were affected as well,stunted growth and souring occured.Growing outside in high heat will stunt growth as well.I use grow racks with shadecloth to protect the wheatgrass from direct sunlight and birds.Watering well shortly before harvest can make a big differance in yield as well.Keep at it and the yields will increase,persistanc does pay off.Happy growing!

Hard RED Spring wheat has more protien than WINTER. It is croped at 7-10 inches. The flavor is much better. ANY grass is 97% liquid and 3% tangable. Growing in at least 2 inches of grow mix is important. Or the wheatgrass tends to dwarf. Soak seeds (berries) less in the hotter months...5-7 hours. It will take longer for them to sprout ...but they remain firmer...suppressing the common complaint of molding. Do not be afraid to use a fan or two for static air movement...it will not reduce the heat and humidity...but the air friction can inhibit the mold factor. After two days in the trays the seeds should be sprouting well....in hot weather then reduce your watering...making sure your trays are damp...but NEVER wet...if wet the heat will then start to ROT your roots...and the flavor intonation will greatly deminish(garbage). If you are growing more than a tray or two.......space the trays apart from one another. It can make a big difference. Of cource the sunlight factor is too much...not enough...and just right. Most of the tip burn comes from too much sunlight...remember the ozone layer is messed up....so even defussed light can be damageing. Here at Drelich's in Florida we amend the SOILESS custom grow mix with FOOD grade SEA kelp MEAL. Ten 50 pound bags at wholesale cost us about $450.oo. Wonder why more growers do not use it....We buy that amount 4 times a year! I would not recommend Peters 20-20-20. It was mentioned by Ann Wigmore a few times in her writings.(Geru of wheatgrass). When your wheatgrass is about 4 inches tall ...check you moisturew level of the mix in your trays...if moist....just let it finish growing in HOT weather by itself....Misting a little is OK fine...Remeber ...too much..not enough....and just right.