FAQ

The mistake is that you exposed the seedlings to the light too early, which often happens to beginners who want to see young sprouts as soon as possible. It is important for good seedlings to wait until the germination phase. Put the tray in the light when you see that the tips of the roots are completely submerged in the substrate and the stems have reached a length of 2 cm. Experience has shown that it is better to wait a little longer than to expose the seedlings to the light too early.

We recommend keeping a distance of 30 – 35 cm from the lamp to the shelf. If the lamp is too close, it can cause overheating and burns to the plants. If it is too far away, the microgreens may not receive enough light, which will accelerate their growth and degrade their quality. It's also important to take into account the uniformity of the lighting. If you are growing microgreens in several trays at the same time, make sure that all plants receive the same amount of light. If you can regulate the height of the lamp, start with a distance of 30 cm and observe the condition of the plants. If necessary, adjust the height of the lamp to provide optimal conditions for the microgreens growing.

All types of seeds have their own periods of germination, maturation, and growth rate. Temperature plays an important role. Moreover, some people like young sprouts, while others prefer mature greens. We recommend cutting the plants when the leaf is fully opened, the stem has reached a length of more than 5 cm and a cap of green has formed well. This usually happens 7-14 days after planting.

If you cut the greens carefully, you don't need to wash them at all. It is clean and untreated. But if you decide to wash it, it's better to use the following method. Put cold water in a container and place the microgreens in it, mixing them gently. This will dissolve the plaque from the leaves, solid particles will settle to the bottom, and light particles will float up and can be harvested.

Take the greens out of the water carefully, place them in a sieve for a few minutes to drain and spread onto a paper towel to dry. You can use them immediately or place them in an airtight container where they can be stored in the refrigerator for several days.

Mold is the most common problem when growing microgreens. The prevention consists in a comprehensive approach to creating conditions that mold doesn't like.

It's important to follow a few key rules:

• Provide sufficient ventilation and fresh air to prevent moisture stagnation.
• Avoid overwatering the substrate: water moderately, making sure that the water doesn't stagnate.
• Check the microgreens regularly and remove damaged or decayed areas.
• Use biological products to protect plants from mold.

It's also necessary to understand why mold has formed in order to eliminate its reappearance. For example, if you see that most of the seeds germinated evenly, but only a few germinated poorly, this means that the problem is not in the substrate or climate, but in the seeds. Therefore, use only high-quality seeds that have been pretreated with an antiseptic to minimize the risk of fungi.

The root fluff looks like white thin fluffy hairs that are located directly on the roots of plants, while mold usually forms a gray or white fluffy coating on the surface of the substrate. The presence of root fluff is safe – it is considered normal.

Any fabric that absorbs moisture well is suitable for growing. You can also use odorless white napkins or toilet paper in 2-3 layers. It's important to remember the basic rule: the thinner the layer of the substrate, the more frequently it will be watered. We recommend using a coconut substrate for growing – it additionally contains the nutrients necessary for plants, and it also "forgives" the mistakes of beginners.

Microgreens may have grown, so they need more moisture than when they germinated. Plants consume more water in the following cases: when the temperature rises, the air conditioner or fan is running, or there are drafts. Check the growing conditions and adjust watering and lighting.

Usually, the microgreens don't grow again after cutting, so it's better to sow new seeds for the next harvest. However, some types can produce a second crop, such as cilantro, green basil, and peas. It's important to know that the amount of microgreens will be much smaller and the risk of mold development increases, as not all sprouts survive after cutting.