How many hours of light do microgreens need? Microgreens are among a group of vegetables called “emerging vegetables.” They have yet to be accepted as a mainstream vegetable in America. Because they are so new, their acceptance is slow.
Most plants go through the life cycle of about five days. After that, a plant must be re-grown to reproduce itself. During the reproduction process, microgreens are laid on the top of the plant to allow it to rise up and start new growth. A gardener can provide them with the best microgreens for growing lettuce indoors. The question then becomes, how long will it take before microgreens are visible and ready for consumption?
The answer depends on how many hours of sun each microgreen receives during the day. Microgreens do require at least four full hours of direct sunlight each day. In the winter, when direct sunlight is not very abundant, they might need even more. Many people also use growing lights to speed up the germination of seeds planted outdoors.
It is a good idea to make sure that the area where the seeds will be planted does receive four to six hours of sunlight during the day. For a successful planting, microgreens should be sowed in a shallow container made of mulch or a good potting soil mix. When the seedlings appear, the gardener should place them in the holes and cover them with a thin layer of mulch. The mulch should be applied to the seedlings through the night, while they are rising. This will ensure that no moisture seeps into the roots of the microgreens.
The gardener should check the morning dew to see if there is any water seeping into the root system of the micro green. If so, she should lightly mist the seeds germinating in the holes with water. Doing so will keep most of the moisture out of the roots as well as prevent the microgreens from drying out. She should also check the sprouts at least two days after planting. The leaves should be green and dormant.
The sprouts should still have tiny leaves and not yet turned yellow. As the sprouts develop, the gardener can move them to a piece of wood or other suitable structure and allow them to sit for a few days. This will let the sprouts’ developing roots get the nutrients they need. If the sprouts do not have the chance to develop fully, she can continue to feed them with her finger. However, she should only do this once the microgreens have been placed in an area where they will receive plenty of natural light.
The gardener who plans on planting her own fresh greens should note that microgreens do not have true leaves. They are seedless and are not considered part of the spinach family. However, they do provide some benefit when it comes to eating fresh greens. In addition to adding colour and flavor to the food they are eating, they also help the greens develop a strong structure as they grow.
To maintain a healthy crop of microgreens, she should place her tray in an area where the heat and sun cannot reach the bottom tray. She should use her best judgment when it comes to placing her tray in direct sunlight or shade. When it is recommended that microgreens be given artificial light for the first week of their growing season, the gardener should follow the manufacturer’s directions carefully when planting her seeds in an area where there is not full sunshine or shade. She should also check with local nurseries to see if their particular species of microgreens will need to be fed a fertilizer before they are planted. Fertilizing will help the plants develop a strong root system and make them stronger when they are able to withstand extreme weather conditions.