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Growing Wheatgrass In Containers, Indoors Information

Growing Wheatgrass In Containers:

The following information is about Growing Wheatgrass in Containers.

Introduction to Wheatgrass:

The freshly sprouted young first leaves of wheat plants are called Wheatgrass. Wheatgrass has used a food, drink, or it is the best dietary supplement. Wheatgrass can be served fresh, dried, and freeze. Wheatgrass is different from wheat malt, wheatgrass can grow longer and taller than wheat malt. Wheat malt is the sprouted wheat grains, these grains are dried and used for malting.

Wheatgrass is a rich source of chlorophyll, amino acids, minerals, vitamins, and enzymes. There are many benefits of wheatgrass, it is the best supplementary nutritional food, that boosts up immunity and digestive power.

Wheatgrass is very easily grown indoors and outdoors. It just needs a suitable climate and good quality potting soil that the growth of healthy wheatgrass. The wheatgrass takes 4 to 5 weeks to get ready for harvesting. Harvest the wheatgrass, when they start to spilt as another leaf starts to grow. Growing and harvesting are very easy in the case of wheatgrass. Wheatgrass containers are also a good decorative item in our living rooms, offices, etc. They also grow as the best decorative indoor plants.

Wheatgrass can be grown around the year with good care. The harvesting period may vary depending on the seasons.

Scientific Name for Wheat Grass: Triticum aestivum.
Common Names: Wheatgrass, wheatgrass, common wheat.

Requirements for Growing Wheatgrass in Containers:

For growing wheatgrass in a container, you just need good quality wheat seeds, good quality potting soil, in a well-drained container. Wheatgrass grows in a wide range of growing mediums, and the growth rate depends on the medium they grow. This article gives you complete information about growing wheatgrass in containers.

Seeds for Growing Wheatgrass in Containers:

There are many varieties of wheat seeds (Tricticumasetivum) that can be used for growing wheatgrass. For growing in containers, use hard winter wheat seed varieties as these varieties are resistant to temperature fluctuations. Winter wheat seeds take some time for vernalization (cooling of the seed before germination) for sprouting before developing grass.

Purchase the best quality of seeds that has a high germination rate, and wheat seeds have disease resistant and temperature resistant. Buy seeds from a popular dealer or at any horticulture centers. Buy a large bag of seeds, as a container can hold many seeds. Purchase organic red wheatgrass seeds that are easy and quick growing and are inexpensive.

The best Wheatgrass seeds are Power Grow Organic, Non-GMO Hard Red Wheatgrass Seed.

Tray or Containers for Growing Wheatgrass in Containers:

There are many types, containers available for growing wheatgrass. The containers you choose should don’t be much deep and they don’t even need much space for root structure. The Shallow dishes with a good draining system will be the best option. Use the containers/pots/trays of plastic or terracotta.

Choose a container of size 10/20 with 2 to 3 draining holes, that can grow a good amount of grass with less hard work. A good draining system protects the young grass from drowning or root rot problems.

Wheatgrass Kits for Growing Wheatgrass in Containers:

Instead of choosing containers, direct Wheatgrass growing kits are available in markets. Growing with these kits is very simple and easy, just follow growing instructions grown them yourself. These grow kits have wheatgrass seeds, growing trays, organic soil, azomite, and other necessary nutrients for growing wheatgrass.

Wheatgrass needs Azomite, which is a mineral additive that provides the container-grown wheat necessary trace minerals the plant requires.

With these kits you grow in apartments, indoors, and outdoors. The kits help you to grow hygienic grass under healthy conditions. These kits come with easy-to-follow instructions, wheatgrass seed, growing trays, organic soil, azomite and more.

Potting Soil for Growing Wheatgrass in Containers:

The soil should be good, fertile, and sterile for growing wheatgrass. The soil you use should be packed with rich nutrients that benefit in growing healthy grass. Use sterile soil, as people consume plants along with the roots. Fertile and sterile soil will skip your need for adding fertilizers while growing and extra washing of grass while cooking.

There are many alternative growing mediums are available on the market, that reduces the stress of washing dirt on the wheatgrass.

Coconut coir works are best-growing medium, it can hold the water and also provides a good draining system. Another alternative soilless potting mix growing wheatgrass is Coco Loco, it is a combination of coco coir and perlite for moisture retention and added nutrients is also a good growing medium of wheatgrass. If using coconut coir, without perlite and other additional nutrients, you need to add some additional nutrients for the growth of the grass in the form of a kelp fertilizer.

Another best growing medium for wheatgrass is a combination of vermiculite and a kelp fertilizer, this can be an ideal seed starting potting mix for growing wheatgrass in containers. Vermiculite in the growing medium will increase the draining capability of the potting soil, and kelp fertilizer will provide the necessary nutrients for the growth of the grass.

There are some natural fabrics that are used as growing mediums for wheatgrass, and other sprouts and microgreens. Some natural fabrics used for growing wheatgrass are:

TerraFibre: this is a natural fabric made from industrial hemp fiber.
Biostrate: this is a natural fiber felt best for growing wheatgrass.
Micro-Mats: this is a natural fiber made from felted wood fibers.
Tencel fabric: it is a natural fiber best for growing wheatgrass in a container.

While using natural fabric as a growing medium, add some kelp fertilizer that gives sufficient nutrients for the growth of the wheatgrass.

Potting soil or growing medium supplies the necessary nutrient for the growth of grass. Coconut coir and vermiculite produce healthy grass vigorously. Whereas natural fabrics will reduce the spread of fungal diseases.

Other Requirements for Growing Wheatgrass in Containers:

Once you are ready with seeds, containers, and the suitable growing medium. Next, you need some more equipment that should be purchased before sowing the seeds.

You need the following equipment:

Durable spray bottles: These spray bottles are used for misting. Wheatgrass loves humidity, so misting is required to keep that grass hydrated. Misting should be once with plain water and once with water mixed with kelp fertilizer. Kelp fertilizer promotes the fast growth of the grass.
In the winter season, you need a seedling heat mat to maintain the temperature of the soil. If growing indoors, the indoor temperature/ ambient temperature is good for growing round the year.

Steps for Growing Wheatgrass in Containers:

Seed Preparation: Soak the seeds before planting them. Firstly, before the seeds are soaked, the number of seeds to be soaked should be decided. If using a tray or container of size 16/16 you need 2 teacups of wheat seeds. Once you decide the number of seeds, then rinse them properly. Use clean and cool water for rinsing and use a strainer to drain out the water completely.
Soaking Seeds: Now soak the wheat seeds in a glass bowl. This is the first step in growing wheatgrass. Soak them till they sprout with small roots. Use filtered cold water and fill ¾ of the glass bowl. And cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap and soak them for about 10 hours to 12 hours. After 12 hours change the water, drain used water completely, and again fill filtered cold water. Again, soak them for 12 hours and repeat the same process three times. You can see the sprouting at the end of the last soaking process. Once they sprout, drain the water completely and set them aside till you plant them. Now take the tray/container for planting, line up the bottom of the tray with chemical-free paper towels, this protects the roots of plants growing out of the draining holes. Fill the bottom of the container or tray with a thin layer of potting soil/growing medium/organic compost. Use a premoisten organic potting mix to get more healthy and nutritious grass.
Planting seeds: Sprinkle seeds on the potting soil/ compost. And press the seeds lightly into the compost or potting soil. Just press seeds lightly, don’t bury them.
Water the container lightly, make sure that each seed gets 1 to 2 drops of water. Cover the container seeds with moisten newspaper to protect the seeds. Maintain the moisture levels of the soil. Don’t allow the soil to dry, for the first 1 week. Keep the soil damp that helps the roots to propagate in the soil.
Remove the newspaper cover every day in the morning and water the seeds with a spray bottle. And mist the seedlings every night before going to bed, this won’t allow the seeds to dry out during the night. Also, keep the newspaper wet this keeps the soil and seedling temperature cool and moist.
It takes four days for wheat sprouts to grow into grass. And now water them regularly.

Sunlight for Growing Wheatgrass in Containers:

The germination process should be done in the dark. The sprouted seed forms a root system quickly in the dark below the soil.
Once you remove the paper cover on the sprouted grass, at this stage the height of the wheatgrass will be 1 inch.
At this stage place the container in a bright area where it can get indirect sunlight. It grows well in direct sunlight for 2 to 3 hours.
If the leaf turns pale it indicates that the grass is not receiving sufficient light. If the grass gets the necessary light, the grass will be in glossy green color.
You can also grow them under the grow lights.
After 2 weeks place the container in direct sunlight, it can get 5 to 6 hours of direct sunlight. If growing wheatgrass in direct sunlight, increase watering intervals, as the soil gets dry due to heat.

Temperature for Growing Wheatgrass in Containers:

The ideal temperature for growing wheatgrass should range from 15°C to 20°C.
Growing the wheatgrass indoors could be the best option, as it is easy to maintain the optimal temperature range.
The wheatgrass at height ¼ to ½ inches height can tolerate high temperatures, by maintaining the moisture levels in the soil.
For the best and tasty wheatgrass, the temperature should range from 15°C to 22°C. If the temperature is above 30°C, cover the grass with paper towels or a plastic cover with good ventilation.
In case temperature below 10°C, use a heat mat under the containers. And reduce the watering intervals.

Water Requirement for Growing Wheatgrass in Containers:

Wheatgrass should be watered twice a day, just sprinkle water over the seeds. Use misting bottles to water the grass.
During the germination and sprouting period, you just need water to keep the soil moist.
Once the seeds set the roots, you need to increase the quantity of the water, moisture levels should be at medium level.
If the wheatgrass container is placed in direct sunlight, increase water, it may need three times a day.
Overwatering can cause wheatgrass to drown can cause fungal diseases.

Fertilizers for Growing Wheatgrass in Containers:

Using fertilizers is not recommended, but to boost up the growth of your wheatgrass, use mild liquid fertilizer.
Fill the misting bottle with kelp fertilizer diluted with water. Mist the wheatgrass once in a week. Don’t use more.

Pests in Growing Wheatgrass in Containers:

The most common pest that affects wheatgrass is Fruit flies. Move the container under the fan, this keeps the flies away from wheatgrass. If the container is placed near the fan, the watering should be done frequently as fan air evaporates the water.
Black grass bugs another common pest that can affect wheatgrass. The black grass bugs cause server damage to wheatgrass. These bugs suck the juice of the grass, pierce the blades of the grass. These insects pierce the blades of grass and suck the moisture out of them. As we want that grass juice. The development of white spots on the grass blades will indicate the infestation of black-grass bugs. Whenever you see this symptom, just damp the affected batch of grass and start another batch.

Diseases in Growing Wheatgrass in Containers:

Mold is the most common disease in wheatgrass. The main cause of mold is due to overwatering. Too much at the base of the grass is the root cause of mold. Mold is not a serious disease, but wheatgrass may lose its taste. Mold can be cleared by washing, in case of damage to the grass, discard the affected portion. To control mold, keep the soil moist but not wet. And provide good air circulation around the grass.
Rusting is also a common disease that can affect wheatgrass. The rust can be controlled by using a sterilized growing medium and by regular harvesting.
Smut is a fungal infection that can affect wheatgrass. Smut is a black dusty fungus that is grown under the blades of the grass. If you observe this, just discard the complete wheatgrass batch along with the growing, start the new batch with fresh potting mix. Sterilize the container after dumping the affected wheatgrass.
Read this: GROWING MUSHROOMS IN CONTAINERS.

Problems in Growing Wheatgrass in Containers:

If the wheatgrass turns weak and turns yellow, it indicates that the wheatgrass is overgrown and it’s too late to harvest. Insufficient water levels or insufficient light or malnutrition can also turn grass yellow.
A soggy growing medium can turn the plant yellow. In that case, avoid watering till the color of the grass changes. And move containers to get direct sunlight, so that sunlight can absorb the excess moisture in the growing medium.
Wheatgrass should be harvested when it grows up to 6 inches. If the grass starts to turn yellow at this stage, spray the diluted kelp fertilizer to the grass. If the grass starts to regain its color they harvest it when it regains the color completely. If not, just discard the batch and start the new batch again.

Harvesting in Growing Wheatgrass in Containers:

The Minimum height for harvesting wheatgrass is 6 inches. Once the grass reaches 6 inches, get ready to harvest.
The optimal time to harvest the wheatgrass is, at the jointing stage. At this stage, the leaves begin to split and form secondary leaves. This happens when the grass grows up to 7 to 8 inches. It is best to harvest the young grass, it’s good to pick them up when they reach up to 6 inches.
Use sharp, clean, and sterilized scissors to harvest.
One batch of wheatgrass can give multiple harvests. So just spray the kelp fertilizer to encourage new growth.
It is recommended to harvest before we use it to ensure freshness.

Storing tips for Growing Wheatgrass in Containers:

For storing, you need to dry the wheatgrass. Dry wheatgrass stays fresh for a long time than wet grass. Store them in an airtight bag wrapping them in a paper towel. Use the wheatgrass before it wilts or spoils. It stays fresh for 2 to 3 days.
You can also store the wheatgrass by making juice. The juice also stays fresh for 2 to 3 days when stored in the freezer.
You can also store wheatgrass by making it into a soft powder. Harvest the wheatgrass and clean it properly, then dry it in the dust-free area or in a dehydrator tray. Once it gets dried completely, powder it and store it in an airtight container.