Microgreen are green herbal plants. Micro-greens are cultivated in the same way as other plants, with seeds put in compost and exposed to sunlight. These are so small that they’re being grown indoors on a shelf throughout the year. These can be cultivated in a variety of containers, ranging from seedling trays to old potting compost, and therefore should be ready to be harvested 1 or 2 two weeks after seeding. Here is a step-by-step guide to the cultivation of micro-green:
Quantity of Seeds:
After choosing the micro-green variety you want to cultivate and buying micro-green seeds. Determine how many seeds you’ll need for each of your planting trays, whether they’re rectangular, square, or spherical. You may check the number of seeds you require using a tiny scale you may already have in the kitchen. Once you’ve measured the number of seeds for a container, you can use measuring scoops or cups to measure the number of seeds you require.
Preparation of Container:
Microgreens can be grown in a variety of containers of various sizes and shapes. Rectangular and flat trays are preferred over standard planting pots because micro-greens don’t require a lot of space to grow. Microgreens growing containers of various sizes can be purchased from the market, however, containers found in food packaging can also be recycled. The major tip is to use a material that is ideal for agricultural production, is clean, and has draining holes in the bottom, that will enable you to hydrate the containers from the bottom without allowing the water to touch the greens while allowing the extra water to escape.
After arranging the container with the rooting medium, moisten the potting mix from the bottom with a clean beaker without holes and be supplied with a water supply. Once the medium is moist enough, drain the surplus water. The wetness in the media will aid in the adhesion of little seeds to the top and maintain them wet during the seedling stage.
Seed your Containers:
You may now begin sowing by evenly spreading the specified number of microgreens seeds across the full growing area of every container. The majority of microgreens seeds do not need to be treated. But, if seedlings are pre-soaked in freshwater for some species with larger seeds or a strong seed shell, the germinating process may be increased. Seeds can be immersed in water for 10-12 hours. It is a good idea to wash the seeds in clean water a couple more times during this procedure to wash and give them little oxygen.
It is not essential, and it may be preferable, to cover the seeds with dirt once they have been distributed on the growing media surface, to keep the sprouts clean. After sowing, a light mist of water from a spray bottle is all that is required to keep the seeds hydrated during the germination procedure.
Sunlight:
It is necessary to uncover the containers and expose the sprouts to sunlight once the germination process is finished and the plants have reached a particular height. When deciding where to plant the microgreens, keep in mind that, microgreens thrive from plenty of sunlight, so put them where there’s more than enough. A window on the southern wall of the house or flat will often get more sunlight than one on the northern side. If the sunlight is limiting as the microgreens begin to grow, the shoots will bend toward the sunlight. Plants create antioxidants mainly in reaction to solar radiation, therefore a suitable amount of sunlight will ensure optimal growth and a higher concentration of antioxidants.
Harvesting of Microgreens:
After germinating, microgreens could be ready for harvesting in a few weeks or a few days, based on the variety and growth environment. Microgreens can be picked with a sharp and clean knife or scissors. Microgreens should always be washed in drinkable water before consumption; nevertheless, because the plant cells of microgreens are highly delicate, their life span may be significantly decreased after washing. Microgreens can be packed and stored at low temperatures.
Conclusion:
Micro leaves are commonly consumed fresh and uncooked, and the more minerals and vitamins they contain, the fresh they are. Vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and potassium are abundant in each tiny leaf. So, after following this step-by-step guide you can easily grow microgreens in any tray or container.