Mould !

Hi all,

I'm growing wheatgrass hydroponically in trays; the Lexen healthySprouter.

Main reason is to juice the whole, rather than just the grass itself.

However I've always got a mould around the roots - why ?
It's generally nodules of mould and a grey-blue colour.
Moist, never wet; temperature a cool 61F (16C); open to the air but not in draughts, nor too much light.

Any suggestions gratefully received.

Are you using city...or well water?

Do the device you are using cover and contain the sprouting effort?

Hi,
Thanks for your reply.

The water used is filtered city. ( Unfiltered has noticeable signs of chlorine/flouride )

Once the berries have begun to sprout I leave the trays open with no cover on - and in in-direct light.

Either air-condition(dehumidify)....or use a large osuolating fan to help keep the molding to a minimum.

Thanks for that - I'll give it a go.

But your suggestion says to de-humidify

- that then raises a paradoxical question as to how/why the Easygreen sprouter and the FreshLife sprouter - both with their humid environments - are so (apparently) successful.

Does anyone have either of these two units - and are they (really) any good ?

thanks in antic for replies.......

Are sprouting....and starting to grow they DO require moisture.

BUT when the sprouting is done and the wheatgrass itself is forming the density of the wheatgrass can cause inhibitation of static air flow around the berries, thus softening the outside of the seeds causing then to form mold. Also too much moisture on the roots can with higher temperatures cause root rot which will become a black mold on top.....destroying the product.

Growing fresh wheatgrass is simple...remember >>>TOO much>>>Not enough...and JUST RIGHT! When you consider the amount of >>sunlight...water ...soil>>temperature and ventalation>>> amenedment(fertalizer) I prefer Food Grade Sea Kelp MEAL...from Canada.

By the way in Cananda you get plenty of sunlight....but in the winter time to my understanding it is just not intense enough to make the growing process easy. Artificial light is terrible to grow wheatgrass...But supporting some extra light during the winter months may help you??

Eat FRESH and Stay GREEN and BE Healthy!...our 9th year! Drelichwheatgrass.com

Thanks.
All of what you say makes sense.
Just frustrating to find the exact right conditions.
I believe there is enough natural light getting to the
grass at the moment, and I'm sure that a temperature
of around 61F cannot be said to be 'hot'.

I'll keep experimenting.

Btw I'm in Scotland, where we normally use grain in a drink that turns out to be golden in colour !!!

Thought you were located in Canada.......Too much moisture causes the mold ....sometimes it's bad old seeds.

No, across the pond. Where wheat is used to make the water of life........


So - how do the automatic all dancing, perfect solution, sprouters manage ? Easygreen and the other recommended by The Sproutman ( bless his work ).

No way - my source is trusted......

Poor quality grass.And having water recycled is a prescription for MOLD!They are good for sprouting mung beans and chick pea and sweet green pea.Otherwise the so-called low maitenance sprouters are not so good.I sprout around 40-50% of the food I eat and do this easily with basic sprouting tools.Grass is the most difficult of the sprouts to grow do to growing so many seeds in a cramped enviorment.I have heard of auto. sprouters using grapefruit seed extract in there soak water and recycled water to deter mold from getting started.Good luck and sorry if I offended you with my previous posts.jeff.

I dinna ken where my problem lies.

The seeds are good, the water not re-cycled.
I rinse well in the first few days as the seeds are sprouting. Once the grass begins to grow - then it's a case of gentle watering as with any other plant.

But what the 'eck - I'll keep trying.

Thanks for your reply - nae problem.

Raising a dram to you.......

Too much...Not enough and just right......

We all here about the mold in the sprouters.....

Any of the wheatgrass I have encountered that is worth a damm is grown with natural sunlight.....and in a soil or soiles grow mix with perlite to air-rate the roots.....

Your problem may be the rinseing the seeds threee times.....most people do not eat the roots (you may and they will be sweet and make you saliva run wild)......

Perhaps your molding comes from below and works its way towards the surface....????

Try you "machine with less soaking of the seeds. If the berries are firmer they may resist what is happening to your small crops now.

ps I am in Orlando FLORIDA....BUTT it is chilly here tonight anyway.

Eat FRESH and STAY Green and BE ....Healthy!