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Post by Sprouts on Feb 4, 2013 6:48:53 GMT -5
Mold and fungus growth can be a problem. Sterile equipment, a low humidity environment, good temperature regulation, clean water, and good air circulation can all help avoid mold and fungus problems. A one percent bleach solution can be used to wash the grains prior to the initial soaking. This will pre-sterilize the seed.
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Post by Sprouts on Feb 4, 2013 12:51:47 GMT -5
MOLD AND FUNGUS IN SEED BEDS
Mold is directly related to the humidity in the air and as we know Asian countrues have a hugh humidity in the months of June thru to Sept. Once the mold starts eg. after 8 days in the trays, the temperature relates to its growth, and unfortunately the fodder likes the same temperatures. We have read where one person says freeze seed for 2 hours before use? to delay mold growth Air conditioners have to be used where heat is a problem. An air conditioner or even fans will dry the air and thus reduce the humidity in the greenhouse, and thus allow a suitable growth temperature during the humid season. A heat pump will also be the best if you are growing in a cold climate where temp drop to under or near zero. The other alternative is to have hot air pumping into the greenhouse if you are living in a thermal area or even hot water piping but again its a matter of experimenting in the country you propose to set your system up in.
Mold comes off the seed, and can come from the water so cleanliness is important in any seed growing operation. This means wearing gloves and never handling with bare hands. Humidity has a lot to do with the problem of fungus spores so Try to air condition the area or use fans to keep humidity down. If mold is in the air from spores, maybe have your fan intakes come in from a higher point like through the roof, not near the ground where mould often lives. The seed is often the source of the mold so good seed is important but again you need to experiment with various seeds that suit your livestock and yourself. Wash seed thoroughly and see if trays washed produce low or no mold. Try also some sterilizing of the seed as well, by using hydrogen peroxide or Monochloramine, and then compare that too. sterlisation like mono-chloromine, and Hydrogen Peroxide. A citrus based spray such as lemon juice with water work well to chase any mold away. As said many times its a matter of experimenting using various seeds, watching for fungus and getting it right.
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Post by chickenplucker on Feb 7, 2013 7:46:04 GMT -5
I had a little mold issue then I added more drainage holes to my trays cut back on my watering times and added a fan waalaa problem solved!
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Post by Sprouts on Apr 16, 2013 11:52:28 GMT -5
Mold is an issue as the weather starts getting warmer, warmer weather will also effect sprout rates. The fodder itself will grow faster as I have seen this week so my chickens and goats and rabbits are fattening up!
I have my system set up on my front porch which is enclosed so I have a couple fans set up for circulation. Since it has gotten warmer I now only pre-soak my grain with bleach/and/or hydrogen peroxide for an hour since the fodder is growing faster this will help cut-down on mold.
Clean your trays with soapy bleach and or hydrogen peroxide water after every use. I have also started giving them day 4, 5, trays as they get the same nutritional value from it as they would day 6 trays! Change the water in the tote more often if mold becomes an issue. I also add a cap full of bleach to my tote water at every water change.
I get the most from my 18 tray system by double and triple stacking trays my system at any given time can have 24-30 trays on it at various growing stages!
Remember for every problem there is a solution!
Happy Sprouting!
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Post by jfolly on Apr 17, 2013 12:36:56 GMT -5
Will city water with its chlorine in it retard the fungal growth? Will it harm the seedlings? We water our livestock with it because it is cheap where we live.
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Post by Sprouts on Apr 17, 2013 22:13:04 GMT -5
Chlorine does ward off bacteria some people with city water let it sit for 24 hours before watering their plants. After it has sat for 24 hours give or take if you then tap the container you'll notice the bubbles go to the top this is called perking which helps avoid root shock to plants.
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Post by Sprouts on May 30, 2013 17:07:00 GMT -5
More mold tips;
Mold CAN grow between 32 and 95 degrees, but optimum temperature is between 77 and 86 degrees F. Maintain humidity levels at 30-50%: Controlling humidity levels will greatly reduce the presence of mold, as well as dust mites and other microbes.
Humidity levels can be measured with a simple tool called a hygrometer, which can be purchased at home improvement warehouses and hardware stores.
Reduce the moisture in the air:
Air conditioners and humidifiers are both excellent ways to reduce moisture in the air if proper ventilation is not possible. In addition, in the case of humid weather, when ventilation will not make must of a difference, running the air conditioner or humidifier will help greatly.
Mold will begin to grow rapidly as the humidity reaches 50%, and especially so during the summer months, so check the levels often with a hygrometer.
Be sure to have your air conditioner or humidifier cleaned each year before use, as a dirty filter can make mold and allergies much worse by exposing your home or business to even more mold spores.
Keep air flowing:
Ventilation, when possible, is the best defense against mold. Whether there has been a previous infestation of mold or not, it will continue to grow wherever there is a lack of proper air flow. Using a fan will greatly reduce the chance of mold.
Cleaning, disinfecting and drying tray surfaces prevents mold growth.
One simple treatment can help keep your aprouts mold free. Taheboo tea can help to retard mold growth in your plants watre. Just adding this tea to your plant water in a mild solution is enough to do the trick!
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Post by Honeyb on Jun 24, 2013 13:13:20 GMT -5
I have read that winter green oil will stop mold growth. Has anyone tried adding this to the water?
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Post by Sprouts on Jun 24, 2013 16:06:44 GMT -5
I havent but its worth a shot. Thanks for the tip.
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Post by egglady on Jan 15, 2014 12:59:32 GMT -5
Hi, I'm new to growing fodder and of course my first trays have grown mold. now that it has started i just need to throw it way and try again or is there a way to get rid of it?
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Post by Sprouts on Jan 15, 2014 13:09:44 GMT -5
Egglady you want to decrease you watering time to start, and make sure you have adequate drainage., then check temperatures usually if the temperatures are below 80 then the mold is to much water decrease your watering times. Also, make sure you are completely cleaning your grain and trays with bleach water, hydrogen peroxide, or apple cider vinegar any of the three cleans well.
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Mare
New Member
Posts: 32
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Post by Mare on Mar 4, 2014 9:03:52 GMT -5
Hello Fodder Friends, Does anyone here on the form lives in Inverness, Florida?? I've tried to grow wheat seeds and still have trouble with mold. First time it molded before it even got to day 3, then tried again went well till day 5 mold back. And now the seeds didn't hardly grow and mold is setting in on day 6. I've tried the freeze seeds, washing the seeds a lot, watering less, fan on, and bleaching the trays? Any thing else I can do?
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Post by Sprouts on Mar 4, 2014 14:34:41 GMT -5
How long are you soaking the seeds? How long and often are you watering them? What's your temperature? Message me your address and I can send you a barley sample to see if it works better for you, sometimes its the grain. Are you soaking seeds in water with some bleach added? Also apple cider vinegar can be used to soak them.
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Mare
New Member
Posts: 32
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Post by Mare on Mar 4, 2014 14:54:50 GMT -5
I soak them for an hour in morning, then drain cover in bucket, then before bed I rinse again , drain cover in bucket. the next morning I rinse again drain and spread on tray. The shelf is in my craft room. Has one window. Temp is 75 and humidity is about 55. Watering once a day. Never used the bleach or apple cider vinegar. How much should I put in the bucket to soak the seeds??? I use wheat because barley is hard to get here. I checked with Sparr's, my feed store. And to order barley I would pay more in shipping. So that takes out the price to feed the fodder instead of grain.
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Post by Sprouts on Mar 4, 2014 17:41:43 GMT -5
Try to just soak overnite in a five gallon pail we put about 1/8 cup bleach to 3-4 three quart scoops stirring to be sure grains are thoroughly mixed with your bleach or vinegar water. Then after the overnite soak put grains directly into a tray, cover the tray with an empty tray for the first couple of days. On day three remove the empty tray and let fodder finish growing. This helps your root mat develop better. The temp and humidity sound great.
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