Common Microgreen Farming Problems and Solutions
Microgreen farming is easy to start, and every step to harvesting is simple. In fact, it’s simpler than growing a lot of hydroponic plants, but with challenges along the way. Some farmers have been there, and they know it can be quite challenging to grow restaurant-ready microgreens.
The most common questions microgreen farmers ask concern germination and abnormal developments during growth. Part of the nightmares farmers experience are microgreens falling over, development of molds, slow germination, and uneven growth among other many baffling questions.
These problems are normal, and the issues should not discourage you. Every business has its own challenges. We are going to expound the causes and possible solutions to prevent future loses.
1. Microgreens Falling Over
I’ve heard of farmers that planted microgreens, and they go well for about five days, only to wake up the next day and find theme fallen over. They usually look like a pile of dead greens, but what could cause such a loss in one night?
Lack of Water
Your microgreens can “go to sleep” because they are thirsty. In fact, it’s the best explanation. Water them and wait for the next day. They’ll be back to normal. Probably they need more water. Some species like Quinoa need less water while the likes of pea require much of it.
Ensure the soil is wet, but not soggy, or else you will be welcoming another problem, molds. Trays with holes are recommended to drain out excess water.
Over-seeding
The tray is a small and restrained area to grow your microgreens, and over-seeding the tray will result in inconsistency, late germination, and slow growth. That’s because the seedings are scrambling for limited resources such as space, light, water, and nutrients.
Some commercial microgreen growers think that the more seeds the put on the tray, the better yields they’ll get while it’s the opposite. Instead, consider the seed size and mucilaginous characteristics.
Low Light Levels
Low light levels can be another reason why your microgreens are falling over. Light is an essential factor for plant growth. If you are not using a greenhouse, improve your lighting.
Too tall and leggy microgreens become thin and floppy, and they can fall over easily. The longer they stay in the dark, the slimmer they become, and therefore timeout the blackout time appropriately.
High Water Pressure
Many indoor gardeners use watering cans, and hosepipes to water their microgreens from the top. The water force can be overwhelming for the seedling to handle, and cause them to fall over.
An easy way to solve the issue is by using two trays, one with holes and the other one with no holes. You will put water in the tray with no holes, tuck the tray with holes in it, and plant your microgreens in it.
Water capillary will take care of the rest, but replace the stagnant water every day for better results.
Getting Sick
Microgreens, just like any other plants, are prone to diseases caused by bacteria and fungus. Some of the leading causes of bacteria and fungus are poor lighting, low ventilation, and a stagnant environment.
The microorganisms will compete for the nutrients or destroy the seedlings. Ensure your microgreens are grown in a well-lit and ventilated environment.
1. Molds on Microgreens
Don’t be scared of molds growing between your microgreens. It’s not a big deal. Don’t get rid of the crop. With a little help, you can prevent or remedy it. The first step is to tell between molds, and root hairs. The root hairs come out of to the surface to help your microgreens absorb as much water as they need.
Mold in microgreens is not different from the mold in any environment. It thrives on bacteria, moisture and less air circulation. As long as you make sure your microgreens are living in suitable conditions, you will deny the mold a chance to survive. What are the causes in-depth?
Poor Ventilation
Mold likes stagnant air to breed and multiply before they are effective. That’s why you should ventilate the room where you’re growing your microgreens. The germination stage especially is generally at risk due to minimal airflow.
However, keep in mind that increasing airflow in the room will cause the soil in the trays to dry faster, and you may have to water your microgreens more often.
To prevent mold, place a fan next to the trays and turn them on for at least 15 minutes every hour. This will help refresh the air around the trays and keep molds away.
Overwatering
One of the most common causes of molds for your microgreens is excess water. Traditional soil alternatives like peat moss, coco coir hold moisture for longer and some people say they are better, but they will give you more mold problems than you can handle.
It can be difficult to tell the amount of water in either of the alternatives, but for the regular soil, its easier to manage. You can always add more water, but removing moisture will be impossible. So, learn how to tell whether your plants need water or not.
Direct Light
Sunlight is the most effective way of providing light to your plants, but you can also use artificial lightings. Strong light can damage your microgreens. Place them on the shaded area if you want them to benefit from sunlight.
Bright light makes it impossible for molds to develop. After germination, you can move your microgreens to a place with direct sunlight. If sunlight is not an option, use a standard fluorescent light.
Always Clean your Equipment
It’s important to clean your equipment before starting any growth or germinating your microgreens. Fill up a 1500ml bottle with 50ml white vinegar, 50ml hydrogen peroxide and 1400ml pure water. Wash the trays and sanitize the seeds.
Seeds that can be sanitized are those that can be soaked in water and not all types can be soaked. Soak them for a couple of hours and proceed to normal planting. This will kill infections in the seeds, clean germs on the trays, and prevent molds from developing on your microgreens.
2. Uneven Growth of Microgreens
Microgreens can surprise you. Sometimes they might grow tall on one side, and short on the other, all in one tray. Microgreens that have grown evenly are supposed to look like an even lawn of sprouts.
Due to uneven growth, a section of the microgreens can be very tall and ready for harvest while the others can look short or not sprouted yet. So, what causes uneven growth, and how can I solve the problem?
Soaking the Seeds
If you aren’t soaking your seeds prior to sowing, you’re doing it wrong, and it’s most likely the reason you are getting uneven growth. Soak your seeds in water with hydrogen peroxide to remove bacteria.
Doing so will help you get even germination since plants first use nutrition from the seed at least in first stage of growth.
Absence of Light
The front side might be receiving more light than the backside, especially when the environment is dark.
Seedlings normally grow towards the light naturally. It’s not only direct sunlight that can help your microgreens grow evenly. You can also use artificial light sources.
The Quality Your Potting Mix
Most potting mixes work well with microgreens, but there some odd ones that sometimes perform terribly. So, the quality of your potting mix matters.
Use a potting mix that works well for you and if it doesn’t, try different ones to find the one that is suitable for you.
How You Spread your Seeds
You can be tempted to overpopulate your tray when planting seeds like basil, amaranth, or broccoli, and when they finally sprout and start shooting, they’ll compete for the limited resources.
Use a seed feeder to dispense the seeds. This will allow you to control how your seeds spread and ensure they are evenly sowed.
3. Slow Germination
Normally, most seeds take 2-3 days while some might take a little bit longer. If you notice your seeds took much longer to germinate, something is not right.
Take a peek into your microgreen tray which should be blacked out. In case you find the seeds too dry, you’ll have to spray with water to increase the moisture. Here are some solutions.
Soak in Water
One way of shortening the germination rate is by pre-soaking the seeds. Every microgreen type has its own pre-soaking time.The reason why seeds are soaked in water before spreading on the tray is to ensure they are awoken from their dormant state.
Pre-soak the seeds overnight for about 8-12 hours before you sow them. For some seeds, you will notice cracks and root growth.
Increase Moisture in the tray by spraying more water and more often. You can also perform a germination test with some of the seeds in a wet paper towel.
Conclusion
Microgreen farming, just like any other farming, has its challenges. This post should cover the main problems and provide solutions to them. As long as you have the determination, you can have a profitable microgreen business.