How to Prevent Mold When Growing Wheatgrass | eHow.com

How to Prevent Mold When Growing Wheatgrass

By an eHow Contributor

Instructions

Wheatgrass is one of the most beneficial natural medicines, with a number of internal and external uses. As recognition for wheatgrass increases, more people are choosing to grow their own gardens at home. While growing wheatgrass is very simple, there is one common yet preventable problem--mold. Does this Spark an idea?

1. • 1
     Soak your wheat seeds for only 8 hours and then plant them as soon as they have been drained to help prevent mold when growing wheatgrass. Soaking seeds for too long promotes mold growth on the seeds themselves and is difficult to eliminate later. Additionally, plant less seed in each tray so that as the blades grow, there is more air circulation around the wheatgrass.
   • 2
     Add 10 to 20 drops of grapeseed extract to every 32 oz. of water and use the mixture to water your plants each day. Grapeseed will not harm or alter the wheatgrass in any way, but can help to prevent mold from growing.
   • 3
     Maintain temperatures between 60 and 75 degrees F when growing wheatgrass. While lower temperatures will not harm wheatgrass, it can slow growth. Mold tends to grow best above 80 degrees, therefore keeping the temperature down is a great way to prevent growth.
   • 4
     Keep a gentle fan directed towards the wheatgrass, particularly if you cannot keep the temperature below 75 degrees. Movement of air and temperature control, when used together, is the best way to prevent mold growth on your wheatgrass.
   • 5
     Inspect your wheatgrass everyday for airborne mold, characterized by spiderweb like formations that grow up the grass. This form of mold can simply be rinsed or wiped off without a problem.
   • 6
     Clean your trays with grapeseed extract, bleach, hydrogen peroxide or other solutions after harvesting and allow them to dry completely in the sun. Allowing your trays to soak in Pool Perfect, a product found at any pool supply, will help to prevent mold growth as well. Pool Perfect uses a natural enzyme to destroy any mold spores found on the trays.
   • 7
     Purchase a new variety of seeds if you still continue to see mold growth on your wheat grass. Because there are more than 1,500 types of wheat grown in the U.S., some varieties will be more resistant to mold when grown in your particular climate.