I love Tikki's videos! So much information is presented in a clear, concise manner. All her presentations are logically organized and really include everything you need to learn. I am so happy I found this channel!
I texted my friend when I found this video and said it's presented in very concise scientific method - that's how I prefer - get straight to the point of the video!
I have been trying to do the same as you - find a food safe grade options to grow microgreens after seeing same method of growing them, either they weren't food safe, environmentally unsustainable, or both; absolutely loved the second method you came up with four layers of cheesecloth to grow healthier greens even without nutrients and without worrying if roots will get the water they need! Thanks for sharing!!
This is so helpful! I just bought a whole bolt of that cheese cloth and I wasn't quite sure how to use it. I needed it for a small seeds but now I know how, thank you so much!
Thank you so much for this comparison. The idea came to me yesterday to try microgreens with cheesecloth rather than buying the hemp pads. Your research is very helpful, thank you!! PS. anyone wanting to know if you can rewash the cheesecloth, this is what Tikki said was her experience: "no I don't reuse the cheesecloth. The roots are really embedded into it."
Thanks Pickle for your kind comment! I've been using coconut coir for growing my microgreens, it comes in compressed bricks and its easy to store. Here and there I like to experiment with different media just to see if it will work. Good luck with your growing journey and thanks for the comment!
I think this experiment confirms that the plants have everything they need to sprout from the seed. Only when they are older they start to need some other nutrient like those in the soil. Because at the end there is not a big difference between the two trays, I think that the growing solution is wasted for this purpose.
I love this experiment! I just started hydroponic gardening in my basement about 10 days ago, never gardened this way before. I have just a few jars started with salad greens, romaine and grape tomatoes of which I harvested some seeds from tomatoes I purchased at Trader Joe's. Everything so far is at the tiny sprout stage. :-) Your videos are both educational and inspiring! :-)
I only recently became interested in microgreens, Kratky, and DPS... I ordered all the supplies, seeds, shelving, grow lights, nutrients, etc. and just started my first seeds March 1... You're videos have been invaluable in my learning these methods.. I love your clearly stated and in-depth comparisons of the different experiments. Getting back to gardening this year will give me an interesting pastime after my first year of retirement...Thank you for taking the time to put these videos together and look forward to the next email notification...
Thank you for the wonderful feedback stitchergary! Not only is gardening a great "pastime" but it is a very productive way to pass the time! Happy growing!
I love your videos - I'm sure I've watched them all at least once. This one is dynamite. I've been so stressed about being able to grow smaller amounts of microgreens instead of those big flat trays - and I'd wanted to do them hydroponically. This is a perfect solution!!!! I knew I had seen this video before - but couldn't find it in my Tikki file where I've bookmarked your videos. At last the lost little sheep has come home. I've bookmarked it now! Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge in such a pleasant and inviting manner.
this is what I've been doing with amazing success. I use the 10x10 trays. I place the tray with holes inside the tray without holes. I've been buying "bamboo" paper towels....works significantly better than regular paper towels and suspect that cheesecloth and the bamboo paper towels are equivalent. the bamboo paper towels i buy can be pulled off the roll in half-sheets. I use two half-sheets and overlap in the middle in the bottom of the top tray with holes. then I have a pump sprayer with half water and half hydrogen peroxide. I super-saturate the bamboo paper towels. I spread out the broccoli seeds but leave a 3/4" gap down the middle of the tray to allow for air flow then I pour water into the bottom tray and I also place a 3rd tray without holes on top of the tray holding the bamboo paper towels with seeds to block light and provide weight for the seeds. I find I only need to add water to the bottom tray about once ever 3 or so days. after about 5 or 6 days I remove the top tray and place it under the light and just wait for them microgreens to "look right" what I just detailed is the best solution I've tried....and i've tried many.....I consistently get LOVELY broccoli microgreens ready to harvest in about 8-10 days. oh yeah....once I place them under the light, i add the hydroponic solution rather than plain water....this is known to increase the sulforaphane content in the broccoli migrogreens. I have not seen a single video that works better than the above except PERHAPS...Maybe....growing in soil however I still prefer the bamboo paper towels so I don't have to deal with the dirt.
Hi thanks for the info..just one question about why u use the hydogen peroxide? Is this just to prevent mold? Forgive me as im new to most of this. Also what hydro nutrient solution do u recommend? And how much to use? Thanks
@@blankmission5369 yes....the idea was to help prevent mold. I don't know that its necessary. I clean the containers very well....but especially as the weather warms, a moist warm environment is great for mold so I just figured that the hydrogen peroxide might help. Tikki O has some really great videos and shows the nutrients that she uses......I think she knows FAR more than I do about it. I just used the first thing I found when starting this and I haven't run out yet. I'm happy with it but I haven't tried anything else. I don't know what its called but its pretty popular. Its a three part dry granular mix that can be mixed in varying ratios depending upon what you're growing. Its called masterblend 4-18-38 but I have no idea if its the best choice
Tikki. I am goig to teach kids to grow food in concrete covered So. California. Your liter bottle Kratky lettuce was a hit, but I wanted somethig faster growing also without soil. The Micro greens seemed like the solution. As usual, you are a great teacher. Thank you for your inspiration.
Thanks Don....mung beans are interesting as well, and then you can show them how to stir fry and eat them! Also, maybe show them how to make tofu from soybeans? Its fun teaching kids, they are so open to learning! Thanks for the comment Don from Denver!
I just brought the cheese cloth and those containers 4 days ago and waiting for them to be delivered from Amazon. I Was wondering to to grow, you gave me great ideas about how to grow, right now I'm using the jars. I maybe drill holes in the bottom and pour water through them, and then lift them to allow the roots to sit in water or fertilizing solution. Thank You for this video it was right on time.
Great presentation! I was wondering about this method too. I tried to grow broccoli sprouts on different media but never had any luck. Tikki explains everything so clearly. THANK YOU!
Great experiment with the cheese cloth. I dont have a compost system set up yet and I didnt want to waste a lot of soil. Will try the cheese cloth. Cool! Happy 2020 👏👍😀
Hi Tikki, I really like your videos-Thank you! I have been using cheese cloth exactly the way you are showing with the center of the lid cut out to snap over the cheese cloth for about 3 months with nutrient in the bottom tray. The only difference is I use the tip of a pair of scissors to poke a small hole in one of the cloth corners to insert a small funnel so I can add nutrient when it gets low. I leave about a half inch space for air between the nutrient and the cloth as in the Kratky method. I also use the part of the lid cut out to cover the seeds after misting. I use the Rubbermaid Take Along containers because the part of the lid that I cut out has little extensions in each corner on the bottom that help to raise the lid up so it doesn’t touch the seeds. I have tried screen in a 10 x 20 tray and prefer hemp pads. If you want a food grade screen, see RUclips Hydroponic Gardening & More with Brent. It is almost $4 per 10 x 20 sheet-too expensive for me. Made by McMaster Carr- Plastic mesh screen #9265T51-it has .08” x .055” openings-you can buy a 54” x 5’ sheet for $48.81 and most of that cost is for shipping. I think your idea of just putting the cheese cloth in the bottom of the tray is ingenious. Can’t wait to try it. Keep up the good work!
Thanks for the information richard, very helpful! We always think of suspending the plants above the water so they don't drown, but for the microgreens it worked out perfectly to have the cheesecloth sitting in water! They didn't drown, and they didn't dry out, win win!
Excellent, well explained video. Can you please explain what the shaker is that you sprinkle the seeds with? I just couldn't catch what you called it. Thanks
Good job! I have some cheese cloth. I might try this. I grow mostly on paper towels. I use maxigrow and I start feeding as soon as the leaves are out. I just lift up the micros using a corner of the paper towels and pour a little MG in the tray. The micros slurp it right up.Thanks. Love your videos!
I have a question, please. Were you watering them everyday? and what method? By using the spray bottle? I wish if you included that process in the video. Thank you for your wonderful instructions and demonstrations! I am big fan of yours!!!!
Thank you for your videos. I have learned so much. They are simple methods and quite inexpensive. I am going to try it out...cheesecloth over container. Thanks again.
This is a very interesting video, thank you! I've been studying microgreens and the various growing methods. It seems that with all the naturally concentrated nutrients in microgreens, adding nutrients would be redundant and unhealthy, unless they were organic nutrients. The appearance and size is not as important to me as the nutrient value. Selling to restaurants and stores would require different priorities to please the public though.
I wanted to say thank you for this incredible video. Very few take the time to clearly explain the how and why. I'm guessing you must be a teacher to do this so naturally :) . To add to your video: Seeds to give the plants the nutrients they need until the first true leaves pop out. The first true leaves are what enables the plant to start producing its own food. So for microgreens, nutrients are not really needed unless you are planting things that you intend to let grow a little more past the first true first leaves (like Basil which you should leave until it produces its second set of leaves for best production and it retains its taste). Also, your method to use the lid to hold the cheesecloth is a perfect solution... the only reason your first attempt didn't go so well is because it had poor contact with the water. To solve this you can fill the bottom of the tray with Perlite (100% re-usable), pour the water until its just above the perlite and put the cheesecloth on top. Perlite soaks water and the cheesecloth wicks it from the perlite so you get an upwards motion of the water even if the plants drink the water below the cheesecloth level.
Like you, I am an experimenter. You asked if anybody had ideas about screens to grow microgreens. I recently purchased a product on Amazon called Excalibur 14" by 14" polyscreen mesh tray screen inserts (five for $19.95 I think). These are food dehydrator screens and I knew they would be what I wanted since I already have one of their dehydrators. There are a lot of different dehydrator screens when you go to Amazon, and one could choose others. (Silicone seems to be popular, but I think for this purpose they would be too "floppy.") The holes are a bit too large for small seeds for which I plan to put some cheesecloth on top of the screen to keep them from falling through. (When shopping for cheesecloth I found it comes in many grades, coarse to fine, I chose fine). I cut the screen (with scissors) to the size I want. To lift them up from the floor of whatever growing container I am using, I saw someone use plastic bottle caps as spacers under the screen which I shall try if needed. But after several days of growing, the roots themselves should push the screen up off the floor. The trick for me is knowing how much water (with or without nutrients) to apply. Too much and the roots drown, too little and they dry out. I am aiming to cover the bottom half the roots, but I am sure it will be a learning curve. I am concerned about the quality of the nutrients I use. I am trying kelp and Azomite (fertilizer from True Leaf Market). This is my first attempt, so I can't offer results. I enjoyed your video.
Wonderful and thorough explanation. I have cheesecloth and I will try this. Question: what did you do with the cheesecloth after growing? Did you throw it away? Compost? Or somehow re-use it? Thanks so much for the great information!
Hi Claudia, I threw it away, although I think I could have composted it since its made of cotton. The cheesecloth was too embedded with roots to salvage. Hope that helps, and thanks for the question and comment!
Good video! I was asked, "So you have to keep spending more money on this?" Now I know I don't have to spend money on coco coir. I heard that since you aren't growing in soil and its indoors you don't have to wash them.
The cheesecloth works well for me, use 4 layers, its too thin to use as a single layer. AND make sure to give it some nutes, they seem to do a little better than with just plain water. Good luck!
New sub here...Great..NO...BEST tutorial video on micro greens I’ve found on YT....Thanks! (?) Can you reuse the cheesecloth? Just curious...waste not, want not... 🦋Lily🦋 NY
Great video. Not sure You can call it an experiment when you have so many variables. But definitely can collect some personal ‘data’ to use in the future.
Hi Tikki O.! Thanks for the informational video! I saw a few folks ask if you can reuse the cheesecloth but I didn't see if there was consensus. Do you clean and reuse the cheesecloth or use a new one every time? Thanks!!
Hi Tikki. I am really enjoying your videos. A question about this one.... what is the difference in using cheesecloth vs paper towels? I am new to all of this so am a bit confused on it. Thanks.
Hi Judy, the cheesecloth grows the microgreens better than the paper towels in my opinion. Maybe the roots are able to penetrate it better and have something to hold on to. Some people don't like using paper towels because they are bleached, but you could buy unbleached paper towels. The truth is ....I just like experimenting....thanks for the comment!
I’ve been thinking about cheesecloth as an option so after googling it, up popped one of your videos! Haha. Have you ever had any issues with mold using the cheesecloth?
On the package the broccoli seeds I bought they said pre-soak the seeds for about 2-4 hours. I have a sprouting tray that says pre-soak up to 8 hours. Your seeds did not require the soaking or did you ignore that advise? You only sprayed the seeds just once a day? I have seen instructions to do it two or three times a day.
Hi Allen, I don't soak my broccoli seeds any more, I used to, but I don't find it makes a differences and then they clump together making it harder to spread out evenly. I sprayed the seeds when they looked like they needed it, if your air is humid they will need to be sprayed less often, if the air is dryer then more often. Check to make sure they don't dry out. Good luck!
@@TikkiOOO Thanks. I'm going to try your method. I never sprayed my seeds with nutrient water solution but added the nutrient to the bottom tray that held water. I'm going to start using the spray bottle with water and nutrient added.
I have watched a you tube video by mini gro where he cuts slots in the sides of the lid and threads his paper towels through to sit in the water underneath. This would work for chese cloth as well and provide a firm surface to cut from.
I keep them for a couple of days, but they are best eaten right away. Sometimes I only cut what I need and leave the rest growing until I am ready to use it. They keep best while they are still growing!
Hi I'm having trouble with growing my microgreens hydroponically. The roots keep growing flat on the cloth or even upwards towards the sky. Not many are actually growing downwards towards the water. This has been the same issue growing in coconut coir as well. How do I fix this?
Really great video. I would suggest blinding the experiment (Guess its the MD in me):) You would have someone mix the hydroponic solution and have it so that you don't know which one is plain water and which one is hydroponic solution BUT it does make sense that hydroponic solution would work better. In experiments there could be some subconscious difference in how you are spraying that could affect the results.
Just found your channel. I've done hydroponics before but not specifically microgreens. Think I'll try the cheesecloth! Thanks for the experiment with the grow solution too.
I'm adding black strap molasses-just a few drops-for my "fertilizer". // I really enjoy your work, Tikki. 😄
I love Tikki's videos! So much information is presented in a clear, concise manner. All her presentations are logically organized and really include everything you need to learn. I am so happy I found this channel!
Thanks Joe....I am still learning how to create videos, I appreciate the feedback!
I texted my friend when I found this video and said it's presented in very concise scientific method - that's how I prefer - get straight to the point of the video!
I have been trying to do the same as you - find a food safe grade options to grow microgreens after seeing same method of growing them, either they weren't food safe, environmentally unsustainable, or both; absolutely loved the second method you came up with four layers of cheesecloth to grow healthier greens even without nutrients and without worrying if roots will get the water they need! Thanks for sharing!!
This is so helpful! I just bought a whole bolt of that cheese cloth and I wasn't quite sure how to use it. I needed it for a small seeds but now I know how, thank you so much!
Tikki, do you wash the cheesecloth between plantings? Or always use NEW cloth? Excellent video!
Thank you so much for this comparison. The idea came to me yesterday to try microgreens with cheesecloth rather than buying the hemp pads. Your research is very helpful, thank you!! PS. anyone wanting to know if you can rewash the cheesecloth, this is what Tikki said was her experience: "no I don't reuse the cheesecloth. The roots are really embedded into it."
Thanks Pickle for your kind comment! I've been using coconut coir for growing my microgreens, it comes in compressed bricks and its easy to store. Here and there I like to experiment with different media just to see if it will work. Good luck with your growing journey and thanks for the comment!
Once again you inspire us all to give these things a try and a happy new year.
How sweet, thank you and Happy New Year to you!
I think this experiment confirms that the plants have everything they need to sprout from the seed. Only when they are older they start to need some other nutrient like those in the soil. Because at the end there is not a big difference between the two trays, I think that the growing solution is wasted for this purpose.
Thanks Tikki! You're very inventive and curious. Enjoy your videos.😀
Thank you Marty Rose, I appreciate that!
Best I ever see
I love this experiment! I just started hydroponic gardening in my basement about 10 days ago, never gardened this way before. I have just a few jars started with salad greens, romaine and grape tomatoes of which I harvested some seeds from tomatoes I purchased at Trader Joe's. Everything so far is at the tiny sprout stage. :-) Your videos are both educational and inspiring! :-)
Good luck to you on this new adventure helpfulnatural!
I only recently became interested in microgreens, Kratky, and DPS... I ordered all the supplies, seeds, shelving, grow lights, nutrients, etc. and just started my first seeds March 1... You're videos have been invaluable in my learning these methods.. I love your clearly stated and in-depth comparisons of the different experiments. Getting back to gardening this year will give me an interesting pastime after my first year of retirement...Thank you for taking the time to put these videos together and look forward to the next email notification...
Thank you for the wonderful feedback stitchergary! Not only is gardening a great "pastime" but it is a very productive way to pass the time! Happy growing!
I love your videos - I'm sure I've watched them all at least once. This one is dynamite. I've been so stressed about being able to grow smaller amounts of microgreens instead of those big flat trays - and I'd wanted to do them hydroponically. This is a perfect solution!!!! I knew I had seen this video before - but couldn't find it in my Tikki file where I've bookmarked your videos. At last the lost little sheep has come home. I've bookmarked it now! Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge in such a pleasant and inviting manner.
Thank you for showing the results of using cheesecloth and water versus nutrient.
Thanks Matt!
Thanks a million for this! You answered so many questions I couldn't find answers to anywhere else.
I enjoyed your microgreens growth experiment 👍 Try using "Silicone Dehydrator Sheets". They are food grade and can be cleaned and reused.
Great idea!
This is what I have been looking for.. clean and environment friendly.. do you reuse the cheese clothes?
this is what I've been doing with amazing success.
I use the 10x10 trays.
I place the tray with holes inside the tray without holes.
I've been buying "bamboo" paper towels....works significantly better than regular paper towels and suspect that cheesecloth and the bamboo paper towels are equivalent.
the bamboo paper towels i buy can be pulled off the roll in half-sheets. I use two half-sheets and overlap in the middle in the bottom of the top tray with holes.
then I have a pump sprayer with half water and half hydrogen peroxide. I super-saturate the bamboo paper towels.
I spread out the broccoli seeds but leave a 3/4" gap down the middle of the tray to allow for air flow
then I pour water into the bottom tray and I also place a 3rd tray without holes on top of the tray holding the bamboo paper towels with seeds to block light and provide weight for the seeds.
I find I only need to add water to the bottom tray about once ever 3 or so days.
after about 5 or 6 days I remove the top tray and place it under the light and just wait for them microgreens to "look right"
what I just detailed is the best solution I've tried....and i've tried many.....I consistently get LOVELY broccoli microgreens ready to harvest in about 8-10 days.
oh yeah....once I place them under the light, i add the hydroponic solution rather than plain water....this is known to increase the sulforaphane content in the broccoli migrogreens.
I have not seen a single video that works better than the above except PERHAPS...Maybe....growing in soil however I still prefer the bamboo paper towels so I don't have to deal with the dirt.
Thanks for the tips and feedback!
@@TikkiOOO and Thank you for your wonderful channel.....I've learned so much from you!!!
Thanks Charlie, I appreciate the comment!
Hi thanks for the info..just one question about why u use the hydogen peroxide? Is this just to prevent mold? Forgive me as im new to most of this. Also what hydro nutrient solution do u recommend? And how much to use? Thanks
@@blankmission5369 yes....the idea was to help prevent mold. I don't know that its necessary. I clean the containers very well....but especially as the weather warms, a moist warm environment is great for mold so I just figured that the hydrogen peroxide might help.
Tikki O has some really great videos and shows the nutrients that she uses......I think she knows FAR more than I do about it. I just used the first thing I found when starting this and I haven't run out yet. I'm happy with it but I haven't tried anything else. I don't know what its called but its pretty popular. Its a three part dry granular mix that can be mixed in varying ratios depending upon what you're growing. Its called masterblend 4-18-38 but I have no idea if its the best choice
Tikki. I am goig to teach kids to grow food in concrete covered So. California. Your liter bottle Kratky lettuce was a hit, but I wanted somethig faster growing also without soil. The Micro greens seemed like the solution. As usual, you are a great teacher. Thank you for your inspiration.
Thanks Don....mung beans are interesting as well, and then you can show them how to stir fry and eat them! Also, maybe show them how to make tofu from soybeans? Its fun teaching kids, they are so open to learning! Thanks for the comment Don from Denver!
What a great video! You come up with the most wonderful ideas. Thank you!
Thanks Kevin J, life is full of wonderful stuff waiting for us to discover it!
Thank you for taking time to do these experiments. I love it.
Thank you for sharing your results with us! I'm all for growing microgreens without soil!
Debbie in WA Ü
Do you think you'll use the Fox Farm solution again - or just stick with plain water?
@@4007fairview I think a little hydroponic nutrients goes a long way, so I will be giving them some, not too much is needed at this stage.
I just brought the cheese cloth and those containers 4 days ago and waiting for them to be delivered from Amazon. I Was wondering to to grow, you gave me great ideas about how to grow, right now I'm using the jars. I maybe drill holes in the bottom and pour water through them, and then lift them to allow the roots to sit in water or fertilizing solution. Thank You for this video it was right on time.
Great presentation! I was wondering about this method too. I tried to grow broccoli sprouts on different media but never had any luck. Tikki explains everything so clearly. THANK YOU!
Thanks Weihan....give it a try, experimenting is fun, even when it fails you learn something. Good luck with your grow!
Great experiment with the cheese cloth. I dont have a compost system set up yet and I didnt want to waste a lot of soil. Will try the cheese cloth. Cool! Happy 2020 👏👍😀
It works great Rocky, give it some nutes and it will be even happier. Happy 2020 to you too!!!
Tikki, you are an amazing teacher, and experimenter.
You are a great teacher! Thank you for the lesson. Was there a difference in the taste of the two methods?
Hi Tikki, I really like your videos-Thank you! I have been using cheese cloth exactly the way you are showing with the center of the lid cut out to snap over the cheese cloth for about 3 months with nutrient in the bottom tray. The only difference is I use the tip of a pair of scissors to poke a small hole in one of the cloth corners to insert a small funnel so I can add nutrient when it gets low. I leave about a half inch space for air between the nutrient and the cloth as in the Kratky method. I also use the part of the lid cut out to cover the seeds after misting. I use the Rubbermaid Take Along containers because the part of the lid that I cut out has little extensions in each corner on the bottom that help to raise the lid up so it doesn’t touch the seeds.
I have tried screen in a 10 x 20 tray and prefer hemp pads. If you want a food grade screen, see RUclips Hydroponic Gardening & More with Brent. It is almost $4 per 10 x 20 sheet-too expensive for me. Made by McMaster Carr- Plastic mesh screen #9265T51-it has .08” x .055” openings-you can buy a 54” x 5’ sheet for $48.81 and most of that cost is for shipping.
I think your idea of just putting the cheese cloth in the bottom of the tray is ingenious. Can’t wait to try it. Keep up the good work!
Thanks for the information richard, very helpful! We always think of suspending the plants above the water so they don't drown, but for the microgreens it worked out perfectly to have the cheesecloth sitting in water! They didn't drown, and they didn't dry out, win win!
I’ve started using my wife’s old stockings that have laddered… washed of course. They work quite well.
Your scientific approach together with your DYI style is just great. That's an easy "like and subscribe" for me.
Excellent, well explained video. Can you please explain what the shaker is that you sprinkle the seeds with? I just couldn't catch what you called it. Thanks
Good job! I have some cheese cloth. I might try this. I grow mostly on paper towels. I use maxigrow and I start feeding as soon as the leaves are out. I just lift up the micros using a corner of the paper towels and pour a little MG in the tray. The micros slurp it right up.Thanks. Love your videos!
Thanks Malcolm for the feedback and the tips!
Any difference in taste between the two? Love your videos, my favorite Utube gardener.
love! Thanks! Can the cheesecloth be reused or does it need to be composted??
I have the same question
Me too! :)
mam your teaching method is too easy to understand us. thanks
Thanks Thuwan...I teach statistics at a local University, my students don't think its "too easy" as hard as I try! I appreciate the comment!
Love your videos so simple and easy to follow
Thanks David!
Your video is honest, informative, and interesting. Thanks!
Wonderful videos! So much fun to watch. Can't wait to try it too! Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us!!
I have a question, please. Were you watering them everyday? and what method? By using the spray bottle? I wish if you included that process in the video. Thank you for your wonderful instructions and demonstrations! I am big fan of yours!!!!
Thank you for your videos. I have learned so much. They are simple methods and quite inexpensive. I am going to try it out...cheesecloth over container. Thanks again.
Good luck Lai Ling!
Thanks for this informative educational video. I wonder if cheesecloth is reusable ….?
This is a very interesting video, thank you! I've been studying microgreens and the various growing methods. It seems that with all the naturally concentrated nutrients in microgreens, adding nutrients would be redundant and unhealthy, unless they were organic nutrients. The appearance and size is not as important to me as the nutrient value. Selling to restaurants and stores would require different priorities to please the public though.
I wanted to say thank you for this incredible video. Very few take the time to clearly explain the how and why. I'm guessing you must be a teacher to do this so naturally :) .
To add to your video: Seeds to give the plants the nutrients they need until the first true leaves pop out. The first true leaves are what enables the plant to start producing its own food. So for microgreens, nutrients are not really needed unless you are planting things that you intend to let grow a little more past the first true first leaves (like Basil which you should leave until it produces its second set of leaves for best production and it retains its taste).
Also, your method to use the lid to hold the cheesecloth is a perfect solution... the only reason your first attempt didn't go so well is because it had poor contact with the water. To solve this you can fill the bottom of the tray with Perlite (100% re-usable), pour the water until its just above the perlite and put the cheesecloth on top. Perlite soaks water and the cheesecloth wicks it from the perlite so you get an upwards motion of the water even if the plants drink the water below the cheesecloth level.
Thank you Archeology, the perlite idea is perfect, I will try that! You must be a teacher as well :)
Thanks for showing the way! Nice experiments! I'll have to find out the hydroponic solution option in India. Thanks again!
thanks, can you wash and reuse the cheesecloth? also, is cheesecloth any better than paper towels?
Neat! Do you reuse the cheese cloth? How do you sterilise the cheese cloth?
boil it 45 minutes in a pressure cooker.
Your videos are so helpful. Thanks so very much.
Just got trays to start microgreens and want to use water only not soil, but planted a few seeds in my garden too, to see what will grow.
Like you, I am an experimenter. You asked if anybody had ideas about screens to grow microgreens. I recently purchased a product on Amazon called Excalibur 14" by 14" polyscreen mesh tray screen inserts (five for $19.95 I think). These are food dehydrator screens and I knew they would be what I wanted since I already have one of their dehydrators. There are a lot of different dehydrator screens when you go to Amazon, and one could choose others. (Silicone seems to be popular, but I think for this purpose they would be too "floppy.") The holes are a bit too large for small seeds for which I plan to put some cheesecloth on top of the screen to keep them from falling through. (When shopping for cheesecloth I found it comes in many grades, coarse to fine, I chose fine). I cut the screen (with scissors) to the size I want.
To lift them up from the floor of whatever growing container I am using, I saw someone use plastic bottle caps as spacers under the screen which I shall try if needed. But after several days of growing, the roots themselves should push the screen up off the floor. The trick for me is knowing how much water (with or without nutrients) to apply. Too much and the roots drown, too little and they dry out. I am aiming to cover the bottom half the roots, but I am sure it will be a learning curve.
I am concerned about the quality of the nutrients I use. I am trying kelp and Azomite (fertilizer from True Leaf Market). This is my first attempt, so I can't offer results.
I enjoyed your video.
Words to live by.. exercise often.. eat well.. die anyway.
Thank you for a thorough and interesting experiment
👍👌❤. Thank you so much for this wonderful video. I love ALL your microgreen / hydroponic videos.
I love your teaching.
Great work, thanks for sharing!
Wonderful and thorough explanation. I have cheesecloth and I will try this. Question: what did you do with the cheesecloth after growing? Did you throw it away? Compost? Or somehow re-use it? Thanks so much for the great information!
Hi Claudia, I threw it away, although I think I could have composted it since its made of cotton. The cheesecloth was too embedded with roots to salvage. Hope that helps, and thanks for the question and comment!
I LOVE your videos! Great job!
Glad you like them, thanks for leaving a comment!
I love your experiments :)
I will definitely be trying the cheesecloth!!!
I don't want to use soil and I don't want to waste paper towels.....
Good video! I was asked, "So you have to keep spending more money on this?" Now I know I don't have to spend money on coco coir.
I heard that since you aren't growing in soil and its indoors you don't have to wash them.
Another great learning video!
Thank you I'm Awaken!
thanks for the well-done clip. How do you clean the cheesecloth for reuse?
Interesting experiment, I'm inspired to have a go. Thanks!
All the best
steve
Thanks Steve's growing space, good luck to you!
@@TikkiOOO Thanks I'll record my attempt. 😀
@@stevesgrowingspace Thanks, if you do, please share the link to your video here so we can watch it. Happy Growing!
@@TikkiOOO Thanks I will.
All the best
steve
Thank you Tikki. I have been wondering what type of material to use. The coconut coir pads are very expensive. I will buy some cheesecloth!!
The cheesecloth works well for me, use 4 layers, its too thin to use as a single layer. AND make sure to give it some nutes, they seem to do a little better than with just plain water. Good luck!
New sub here...Great..NO...BEST tutorial video on micro greens I’ve found on YT....Thanks!
(?) Can you reuse the cheesecloth? Just curious...waste not, want not...
🦋Lily🦋
NY
Great experiment. Want to learn to grow some food inside my apt in case corona comes back next year. Can the cheesecloth be reused?
I love this idea! Thank you!
Excellent Experiment Vid Tikki!
Thank you azhydro99!
Great video. Not sure You can call it an experiment when you have so many variables. But definitely can collect some personal ‘data’ to use in the future.
thanks for the video. so, the only liquid the seeds got were from the spray bottles, right? thanks.
Hi Tikki O.! Thanks for the informational video! I saw a few folks ask if you can reuse the cheesecloth but I didn't see if there was consensus. Do you clean and reuse the cheesecloth or use a new one every time? Thanks!!
Obviously you can clean it.. you won't die, trust me
Hi Tikki. I am really enjoying your videos. A question about this one.... what is the difference in using cheesecloth vs paper towels? I am new to all of this so am a bit confused on it. Thanks.
Hi Judy, the cheesecloth grows the microgreens better than the paper towels in my opinion. Maybe the roots are able to penetrate it better and have something to hold on to. Some people don't like using paper towels because they are bleached, but you could buy unbleached paper towels. The truth is ....I just like experimenting....thanks for the comment!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Thanks Lili, and to you as well!
Thank you for sharing ☺️ It's a great video
This was very helpful, thank you!
Did you mist the microgreens from on top even after they were thick? I was told to water from the bottom or you risk mold
P s. Great video 😍
Gréât vidéo, are you able to reuse the cheese cloth
Thanks Hugues, no I don't reuse the cheesecloth. The roots are really embedded into it.
Great job, thank you
I’ve been thinking about cheesecloth as an option so after googling it, up popped one of your videos! Haha. Have you ever had any issues with mold using the cheesecloth?
Very we done video! I appreciate your attention to detail.
Thanks Cheryl, I appreciate the feedback!
Nice experiment. When you compare the costs what is the difference?
5 cents
Is organic liquid fertilizer the same as hydroponic nutrients solution
Thanks. Did you use grow lights?
May I ask why 4 layers of the cheese cloth?
Thank for this informative video great for a beginner like me.
For the cheesecloth on the bottom of the tray, as greens get bigger do you spritz with the water everyday over the top or spray under cheesecloth?
Thanks. Very good video.
After you cut the stems, will they grow again from the roots ?
My water wicks off the cheesecloth onto my counter. Does that mean the seal is not tight enough on the rim that holds the cheesecloth in place.?
Great use for old damaged containers. OK you are pretty cool, I subbed.
Thanks for the sub Red, that's cool!
You mentioned hydroponic-are you using hydroponic lights? Dora PLPBLCI 2012 tm c pat r
On the package the broccoli seeds I bought they said pre-soak the seeds for about 2-4 hours. I have a sprouting tray that says pre-soak up to 8 hours. Your seeds did not require the soaking or did you ignore that advise? You only sprayed the seeds just once a day? I have seen instructions to do it two or three times a day.
Hi Allen, I don't soak my broccoli seeds any more, I used to, but I don't find it makes a differences and then they clump together making it harder to spread out evenly. I sprayed the seeds when they looked like they needed it, if your air is humid they will need to be sprayed less often, if the air is dryer then more often. Check to make sure they don't dry out. Good luck!
@@TikkiOOO Thanks. I'm going to try your method. I never sprayed my seeds with nutrient water solution but added the nutrient to the bottom tray that held water. I'm going to start using the spray bottle with water and nutrient added.
Hi Allen, I'm not sure it matters either way, as long as they get hydrated. Thanks for the comment and good luck!
Hi Tikki,
Can these microgreens be transplanted from the cheesecloth to grow kratky style? Love your channel by the way… Keep up the good work. :-)
Where were you able to get those seeds, we cannot find a size bag lile yours; thanks
I think they were from Todd seed company, you can also check out True Leaf.
Thank you so much!
I have watched a you tube video by mini gro where he cuts slots in the sides of the lid and threads his paper towels through to sit in the water underneath. This would work for chese cloth as well and provide a firm surface to cut from.
Yes, I saw that, great idea! Thanks for sharing!
That was very interesting. Given lots of "Thumbs Up" below, they have said it all.
Thank you James, I appreciate it!
How long can these be stored once harvested
I keep them for a couple of days, but they are best eaten right away. Sometimes I only cut what I need and leave the rest growing until I am ready to use it. They keep best while they are still growing!
thanks
Hi I'm having trouble with growing my microgreens hydroponically. The roots keep growing flat on the cloth or even upwards towards the sky. Not many are actually growing downwards towards the water. This has been the same issue growing in coconut coir as well. How do I fix this?
keep dark first few days.
This is great!! Thank you so much
Thanks Jacinda!
Really great video. I would suggest blinding the experiment (Guess its the MD in me):) You would have someone mix the hydroponic solution and have it so that you don't know which one is plain water and which one is hydroponic solution BUT it does make sense that hydroponic solution would work better. In experiments there could be some subconscious difference in how you are spraying that could affect the results.
Hey Doc, you think too much lol
Just found your channel. I've done hydroponics before but not specifically microgreens. Think I'll try the cheesecloth! Thanks for the experiment with the grow solution too.