(Please read more recent version first at https://ranjan.in?p=74)
Since I posted last on this topic, I have gained more knowledge and it is about time to write on this again. I would itemize them to make it easier to read:
- Reusing Soil – I found that when I used soil first time, wheat grew nicely. But I started to see failed growth when I tried to reuse the soil. It was most likely due to my zero knowledge about gardening. Finally I could figure it out with the help of friends and nursery. After harvesting first time, one needs to add some nutrients to the soil since with limited soil in pot (or tray), it needs to be supplemented. In my local nursery they gave a product called “BioField”, which is produced in Baroda. I was asked to add about 7-8 table spoons to soil every 7 days. So now after harvesting I sprinkle few spoons of BioField+compost and plant regrows healthy and fast. After harvesting three times, I remove the plant and let the soil air for 3-4 days to allow it to gain capacity through nitrogen fixation. Here is the image of the packet of 1 Kg of BioField, which costs Rs 60. They seem to have larger package of 50 Kg only, which is little too large to handle. Would have been nice to have 5 Kg packets as well. I am not sure how wide is their distribution channel but you may be able to find something similar in your local nursery:
- Organizing pots(or trays) – In the early stage, I purchased round pots and then bigger rectangular pots. However slowly I started filling up balcony space and in no time I started to hear complains! Then I bought plastic trays (I got 10 of them at Rs 40 each). I also purchased a steel rack with 4 shelves to organize the trays as shown in the image below:
Now I find it very easy to handle the tray as they are much lighter and can be organized nicely as well as moved around, if needed. I plan to buy couple of big trays to let the used soil air in them. I also use the tray to cover the germinating seeds in earlier stage.
- Juicer – I am yet to find the right kind of wheat juicer. I got one from eBay(they never claimed it to be for wheat juice but I took a chance) but it is too fragile for juicing wheat grass. I provided details to the vendor and also some Chinese company details He said that once he is able to locate a supplier, he would be in touch with me. Meat-mincers are capable of juicing wheat grass as well but one needs to have some mechanism to collect juice. If any one finds the right one in India, please inform!
Chacha – You are back to the roots. From a nuclear scientist to a farmer. 🙂
We never called ourselves Nuclear Scientists. We were “Plasma Physicists”. Aur khana to sab ko khana hi padta hai na! 🙂
Wow this is a great resource.. I’m enjoying it.. good article
This is a usefull post.
Hey man…nice article.. but u can also grow the grass without soil… i have done that and its growing good as the wheat its self will have enough to grow for 12 days… by the way for the juicer in india u can get info in this site http://www.kalsiproducts.com/module.php?fuse=3&CategoryID=1&CategoryName=Hand%20Operated%20Juice%20Machines… will get back once i have done some more trails and research on soil less wheat grass 🙂
Thanks Ramprasad. I have also tried soill-less growing but it seemed to require more care than one in soil. Also there is some doubt about it having all the nutrients that you can get by growing in soil. In any case, do share your experience.
Have you bought a wheat grass juicer from this company?
How do you protect your wheat grass soil from fungus ? I see a lot of fungus recently accumulating all over the tray every morning , specially in the trays where the wheat grass has just started growing .
I had tried to do bottom watering so that upper soil surface is dry and water seeps in from bottom by putting tray in a bigger tray with water.