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A seed will germinate wherever it happens to be if it receives warmth and moisture. It does not matter if you soak it, rinse it, gel it, bury it, drop it, excrete it, or whatever. I remember a story about 2 farmers that each grew wheatgrass. One farmer just broadcast spread the seed on his field, the other used an expensive soil driller machine that made perfect rows, with perfect seed spacing. When both crops matured, the farmer that broadcast spread the seed had a better looking, higher yielding crop. His planting method more closely duplicated what happens in nature. Nature is random. The lesson is to keep it simple, don't complicate nature, duplicate nature, stay away from synthetic and artificial. Don't worry about making details perfect, nature already is perfect. Copy what happens in an outdoor natural environment, and bring it indoors.
Here are the proper steps to germinate your seed.
Step 1. Soak the potting soil in the growing container until the water drips out from the bottom of the container.
Step 2. Spread an even layer of seed, that has been rinsed clean, over the surface of the wet potting soil. You can lightly press the seed into the potting soil without compressing the soil.
Step 3. Use a spray bottle of water to keep the seeds moist until the root emerges and sets itself into the soil. Once the plants are anchored to the soil, you can water normally with a watering can.
NOTE: Pre soaking the soil insures even moisture throughout the soil and breaks the surface tension of the soil, which will allow for good drainage.
Its that simple, saturate the soil, position the rinsed clean seed, mist until the seedlings are anchored (rooted) to the soil. That's all you need to do.
Light There is no need to germinate the seed in a completely dark location. Grass seed is designed by nature to germinate on top of the soil. That means it is supposed to go through a light and dark, day and night cycle, to some degree while germinating.
If the permanent location the plants will be growing gets a lot of direct sun, you can temporarily move the container to a well lit place out of the direct sun to prevent the germinating seed from prematurely drying out. Once a the plant germinates, you can move the container back into the sun. Its a matter of if you are available to water when needed.
WATER If you flood the seeds with water before they anchor to the soil, the seeds will dislodge from its position of an even layer and they will clump together.
Pre soaking the potting soil will help to keep the top layer of soil from drying out from the process of capillary action and evaporation.
If only the top layer of soil is moistened, the bottom layer of dry soil will tend to draw moisture from the top layer and subject the top layer to rapid drying since evaporation works on the soil exposed to air first. Pre soaking also acts as a reserve source of water for the top layer of soil using the natural capillary action of the soil and water. The main concern is to not let the newly formed roots dry out. This is the natural process designed by nature.
TEMPERATURE I am assuming indoors means in your home, as opposed to a separate place where the temperature can be adjusted independent of your comfort. Anywhere between 50 and 75 degrees will be fine. If you grow in a separate area from your home , just mimic the outdoor Spring temperature cycle, cool nights, warm days.
NUTRIENTS The need of supplemental nutrients will be determined by the quality and composition of your potting soil. Composted potting soil will generally supply enough nutrients during the short period of time the plant will be growing in it. If you want to add nutrients and trace minerals to the growing medium, just remember that moderation and organic is best. Worm castings do wonders. Consider adding worms to your potting mix for a period time before you plant in it.
Seed Germination- This is the part most people make things more complicated than need be. Wheatgrass seed will germinate under the most harsh conditions than you would imagine. It is hard to mess this part up! When you purchase seed from Gourmet wheatgrass, you will not have to soak or rinse the seed before you use it. My seed is soaked for 30 minutes and rinsed clean using a weak solution of food grade hydrogen peroxide and water. It is then thoroughly dried and properly stored until it is used. In nature, seed is naturally treated by hydrogen peroxide which is naturally formed in rain and snow. Pre germinating the seed separate from the growing medium by soaking them for a day and continuously rinsing them, then covering with a moist paper towel, etc. and etc. is totally a waste of time. Not only is it not necessary, it is contrary to what happens in nature. There is no advantage to this procedure, except for the rinse, and it may even be counter productive since the root at this stage is so fragile it could easily be subject to injury from the excessive handling it is subjected to.
Step 1. Soak the potting soil in the growing container until the water drips out from the bottom of the container.
Step 2. Spread an even layer of seed, that has been rinsed clean, over the surface of the wet potting soil. You can lightly press the seed into the potting soil without compressing the soil.
Step 3. Use a spray bottle of water to keep the seeds moist until the root emerges and sets itself into the soil. Once the plants are anchored to the soil, you can water normally with a watering can.
NOTE: Pre soaking the soil insures even moisture throughout the soil and breaks the surface tension of the soil, which will allow for good drainage.
Its that simple, saturate the soil, position the rinsed clean seed, mist until the seedlings are anchored (rooted) to the soil. That's all you need to do.
Light There is no need to germinate the seed in a completely dark location. Grass seed is designed by nature to germinate on top of the soil. That means it is supposed to go through a light and dark, day and night cycle, to some degree while germinating.
If the permanent location the plants will be growing gets a lot of direct sun, you can temporarily move the container to a well lit place out of the direct sun to prevent the germinating seed from prematurely drying out. Once a the plant germinates, you can move the container back into the sun. Its a matter of if you are available to water when needed.
WATER If you flood the seeds with water before they anchor to the soil, the seeds will dislodge from its position of an even layer and they will clump together.
Pre soaking the potting soil will help to keep the top layer of soil from drying out from the process of capillary action and evaporation.
If only the top layer of soil is moistened, the bottom layer of dry soil will tend to draw moisture from the top layer and subject the top layer to rapid drying since evaporation works on the soil exposed to air first. Pre soaking also acts as a reserve source of water for the top layer of soil using the natural capillary action of the soil and water. The main concern is to not let the newly formed roots dry out. This is the natural process designed by nature.
TEMPERATURE I am assuming indoors means in your home, as opposed to a separate place where the temperature can be adjusted independent of your comfort. Anywhere between 50 and 75 degrees will be fine. If you grow in a separate area from your home , just mimic the outdoor Spring temperature cycle, cool nights, warm days.
NUTRIENTS The need of supplemental nutrients will be determined by the quality and composition of your potting soil. Composted potting soil will generally supply enough nutrients during the short period of time the plant will be growing in it. If you want to add nutrients and trace minerals to the growing medium, just remember that moderation and organic is best. Worm castings do wonders. Consider adding worms to your potting mix for a period time before you plant in it.
Seed Germination- This is the part most people make things more complicated than need be. Wheatgrass seed will germinate under the most harsh conditions than you would imagine. It is hard to mess this part up! When you purchase seed from Gourmet wheatgrass, you will not have to soak or rinse the seed before you use it. My seed is soaked for 30 minutes and rinsed clean using a weak solution of food grade hydrogen peroxide and water. It is then thoroughly dried and properly stored until it is used. In nature, seed is naturally treated by hydrogen peroxide which is naturally formed in rain and snow. Pre germinating the seed separate from the growing medium by soaking them for a day and continuously rinsing them, then covering with a moist paper towel, etc. and etc. is totally a waste of time. Not only is it not necessary, it is contrary to what happens in nature. There is no advantage to this procedure, except for the rinse, and it may even be counter productive since the root at this stage is so fragile it could easily be subject to injury from the excessive handling it is subjected to.
HOW TO GROW WHEATGRASS
When plants are grown in a natural environment their life force will be stronger, and that will maximize their health, which results in a higher nutritional value. The more you synthesize a natural environment, the more you decrease the vibrancy of the plants life force. There is a hard way, an easy way, and the Natural Way. If you were a plant, what way would you choose?
When plants are grown in a natural environment their life force will be stronger, and that will maximize their health, which results in a higher nutritional value. The more you synthesize a natural environment, the more you decrease the vibrancy of the plants life force. There is a hard way, an easy way, and the Natural Way. If you were a plant, what way would you choose?
GROWING TIPS & INSTRUCTIONS
I use food grade hydrogen peroxide because the 3% solution you buy in the supermarket may have stabilizers, organic and inorganic impurities, and heavy metals.
I also use fluoride and chlorine free water. If at all possible you should only use this kind of water. If you must use chlorinated water, let it sit in a container for a day to let the chlorine dissipate. For the fluoride you can buy a filter that will remove it from the water. Or you can collect rain water to water your plants.
As an aside, never use microwaved water, it will eventually harm the the plant. You might want to rethink the use of a microwave oven for heating foods and water since it is unhealthy for you also. CLICK HERE for more info. CLICK HERE for info about the effects on plants.
The reason why I recommend organic fertilizer instead of synthetic / chemical fertilizers is because many of the synthetic fertilizers contribute to the decline of human health, depletes the soil of nutrients, are mixed with heavy metals and other toxic ingredients. Click Here for the truth about chemical fertilizers that is relatively unknown.
Nature does not like synthetic or artificial anything. Nature is the guardian of our good health. That's why I promote and provide Wheat Grass products, the nutrients found in these products have the power to reverse the adverse health effects from a toxic environment.
Grasses are whole food sources of vitamins, enzymes, phytonutrients, etc. These plants provide a whole food array of beneficial ingredients which are the exact opposite of such things like synthetic vitamins and supplements, produced by the pharmaceutical industry, which are slowly declining our health. For information about the toxic effects of synthetic vitamins Click Here
I also use fluoride and chlorine free water. If at all possible you should only use this kind of water. If you must use chlorinated water, let it sit in a container for a day to let the chlorine dissipate. For the fluoride you can buy a filter that will remove it from the water. Or you can collect rain water to water your plants.
As an aside, never use microwaved water, it will eventually harm the the plant. You might want to rethink the use of a microwave oven for heating foods and water since it is unhealthy for you also. CLICK HERE for more info. CLICK HERE for info about the effects on plants.
The reason why I recommend organic fertilizer instead of synthetic / chemical fertilizers is because many of the synthetic fertilizers contribute to the decline of human health, depletes the soil of nutrients, are mixed with heavy metals and other toxic ingredients. Click Here for the truth about chemical fertilizers that is relatively unknown.
Nature does not like synthetic or artificial anything. Nature is the guardian of our good health. That's why I promote and provide Wheat Grass products, the nutrients found in these products have the power to reverse the adverse health effects from a toxic environment.
Grasses are whole food sources of vitamins, enzymes, phytonutrients, etc. These plants provide a whole food array of beneficial ingredients which are the exact opposite of such things like synthetic vitamins and supplements, produced by the pharmaceutical industry, which are slowly declining our health. For information about the toxic effects of synthetic vitamins Click Here
AFTER GERMINATION The rest of growing process is easy, just water as needed. When the surface of the soil begins to dry out, water it so the water drips out through the drain holes of the container. When in doubt, water it, grass grows best well watered.
SUNLIGHT
Wheatgrass loves the sun. Give it all it can handle. These plants naturally grow in a field, there is no shade in a field! If the grass is drying out before you can water it, position it so it gets a little less sun. Sun is the life blood of a sun loving plant, if you minimize that you minimize its overall health. Don't compromise, optimize!
MOLD - For information about how to avoid and control mold, click on the link below, (No Mold Solution).
SUNLIGHT
Wheatgrass loves the sun. Give it all it can handle. These plants naturally grow in a field, there is no shade in a field! If the grass is drying out before you can water it, position it so it gets a little less sun. Sun is the life blood of a sun loving plant, if you minimize that you minimize its overall health. Don't compromise, optimize!
MOLD - For information about how to avoid and control mold, click on the link below, (No Mold Solution).
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