Can't grow mold free wheatgrass

[raweater]

I've now thrown out 5 trays of wheatgrass, just as the grass is ready, while mold starts griwing like crazy and in no time there's more mold than grass.

I'm trying to grow only 3 trays now to minimize the waste. So far I:
-Reprogrammed the watering computer to one 30 minute rain, and five 10 minute rains per day (winter program, it was still set on the summer program which would cause mold when used in winter)
-Added peroxide to the watering water (sprouter manual's recommendation)
-I read contradicting information on seed placement, some say to put half the seeds to prevent mold, some say to put twice as many seeds to prevent mold, so I tried one tray each way to see which works best

Is there anything else I can do? I was hoping to have wheatgrass ready for when I get my easy green, but that's not going to happen now.

Thanks

[raweater]

By the way, I'm using an easy green automatic sprouter and attempting to sprout it hydroponically.

[Tirza]

I read somewhere that the white "mold" near the soil level is not actually mold and will rinse off. But I am not sure if that refers to what you are dealing with. What WOULD really be mold then? I guess you must know if it is.
I also wonder about this, as I really need to grow my own wheatgrass. But last summer I had that white fuzz as well as a PLAGUE of fruit flies!!! My husband said no more in the house. So now I buy wheatgrass from the local grower for $21 a bag which makes about 10 ounces!!! Can't do that for long!
Please keep posting your results.

[Lady Green Jeans]

The white mold grows from lack of proper air circulation from all that I've read. It does not hurt you--just don't ingest but cut away from that part of the wheat grass when juicing--only using the grass away from the mold.

Hope that helps.

[Ginger]

Google 92 mineral wheatgrass :D

[kaybee]

try using some wheat from a different source and see if that makes a difference. sometimes the particular wheat that a particular store has could be more inclined to mold.

also, just as a note, i had better luck growing wheatgrass in cafeteria trays in a mix of soil and peat than i did with my automatic sprouter. messier, but i got alot more yield too.... i wonder if youre still overwatering...might want to look into that. when i grew in dirt i only watered 2x a day and had beautiful grass. but maybe hydroponic is different.

good luck

kaybee

[virginia]

don't water it so much, and are you growing it too thick? on soil or not? how warm is the room?

[NoGMO!]

sometimes "root hairs" can be mistaken for mold but they are part of the sprout.

& sometimes it is just mold.

one way to tell is the root hairs are more uniform than random spots of mold.

if it's mold, use less seeds.

[NoGMO!]

I just saw your other thread... nevermind :rolleyes:

[raweater]

I tried 3 other trays (rather than 5 to minimize the waste) this time, but I read conflicting information on the amount of seed to reduce mold, some say spread the seeds further appart, but my sprouter's manual says to put twice as much if there's mold. In the 3 trays I put different amounts of seeds and so far the only one where I see mold is the one where I put least seeds. I guess things owrk differently when it's hydroponic.

Also, about watering less and ventilating more... my sprouter uses the same motor to water and ventilate, so that's not quite possible. They do recommend leaving the door open, so I could try that, but I'll see if the trays with more seeds and no mold can grow fully and mold free.

Thanks for the info!

[tanishamarshall]

Not sure if anyone mention this but google, "OceanGrown" has been known to help keep down the mold in wheatgrass it also provides the grass with over 92 minerals, making it even more nutritious. I think it's a bit expensive but you have to dilute it so it should last a while. On this website you can find some very very good instructions on how to grow your wheatgrass.

[Raw Mom]

Definitely circulation of air. Try putting a fan on it. The grass in my growhouse grows much better, longer, greener and mold free, with proper air circulation. Not easy in small areas of homes. Check out my website for pictures of growing stages. You could purchase fresh cut from me for less than the store, depending on where you live. Email me with any questions.
My brother is the master grower at Hippocrates. We've been in the business for 25 years.

[raweater]

My sprouter's manual did recommend leaving the door open for wheatgrass as it needs more cirtulation (the door has small air circulation holes).

So far with the door off, peroxide in the water tank and the computer programmed to water less, it seems ok so far. Hopefully it will stay mold free until it's grown.

Thanks