Micrograin germinator simplifies the process of growing vitamin sprouts at home. With their help, you can not only automate the process, but also facilitate the work of the gardener. There is no need to daily monitor all watering activities, maintaining optimal humidity and temperature. The system does everything on its own. A person can rejoice at the simplicity of growing and harvest every 10-15 days.
Features of Cultivators
It is scientifically proven that young shoots contain a large amount of nutrients, vitamins and minerals, an order of magnitude higher than that of an adult plant. The use of micro-greens normalizes metabolic processes, improves the digestive system, strengthens the body and helps increase efficiency.
For cultivation, special constructions are used – germinators, the action of which is aimed at:
🍃 Maintaining the optimal temperature regime is achieved due to the presence of heaters, as well as temperature regulators, which retain the desired values according to the specified parameters.
🍃 Moisture control – prevents rotting of the root system and death of plants. Open germinators additionally humidify the air in the apartment, which is especially important during the heating season.
🍃 Growing microgreen in large volumes – reduces growing time, and also saves space. There is no need to occupy window sills and organize additional racks.
How To Choose The Right One?
There are a number of factors to consider:
🍃 Price – depends on such indicators as the dimensions of the structure, the presence of lighting, automatic irrigation and control sensors. The cheapest options are presented in the form of pallets with a substrate. Expensive models are fully automatic, work from the network and do not need to be controlled.
🍃 Sizes – for home use, small containers are suitable, divided among themselves (if you plan to grow different crops). In industrial cultivation, specialized pallets are used, the capacity of which is different.
🍃 Automation – the simplest options do not have automatic watering and temperature control. Automata take care of all the plants, freeing the person completely.
Before buying, you need to decide on such questions:
- For what purposes the germinator will be used and what volumes of greenery are needed.
- Whether a person will control and maintain optimal microclimate indicators, or should this be done automatically.
- Can a future purchase cover costs and make a profit.
After that, you can read about specific models, evaluate their advantages and disadvantages, only then buy.
The Best Germinators For Microgreen Without Automation
These options are the simplest and most primitive to use. The advantages are the relative cheapness and ease of operation. Of the disadvantages, you can determine the need for constant monitoring of the main parameters that form the microclimate. Otherwise, the plants will not be able to fully develop and die before germination.
SIEVE LID
It is a plastic lid that is suitable for all types of glass jars. One edge is more convex. It has through holes of different diameters. A fine mesh is stretched on the inside.
The principle of operation is as follows:
- Seeds are laid in a jar and filled with warm water, as indicated in the instructions.
- Leave for 5-6 hours to swell in a warm place.
- Turn the jar upside down, draining the excess liquid.
- Set in this position on any pallet: saucer, plastic containers.
- They put in a warm bright place.
🍂 Sprouts appear for 2-3 days, after which water is gently poured into the jar and turned over onto the lid support.
Benefits:
👍 ease of use;
👍 suitable for all types of seeds;
👍 low cost (10-15 r);
👍 can be made independently from a regular nylon cap.
Disadvantages:
👎 The need for additional lighting and heat;
👎 Daily washing of sprouts with warm water, in order to avoid the development of mold;
👎 When sprouting, greens get confused;
👎 With insufficient ventilation, an unpleasant aftertaste and a smell of dampness appear.
Experienced experts recommend using melt slightly warmed up water for growing microgreens, which has more beneficial properties and helps to avoid the development of fungal infections of the sprouts.
PALLETS AND OTHER CONTAINERS
You can use various glass salad bowls with a low side, which have a lid, plastic food containers, glasses for coffee and drinks.
A prerequisite for the effective growth of microgreen are:
🍃 The presence of drainage – there must be small holes in the bottom to remove excess moisture and prevent root decay.
🍃 The presence of a coating on top – prevents the complete evaporation of the liquid, forms a greenhouse effect that accelerates the growth process.
🍃 Place containers in a warm place with plenty of light.
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Benefits:
👍 Can be made from improvised material and not spend money;
👍 Ease of use;
👍 No substrate needed;
👍 It is possible to grow several crops at once in one tank;
👍 Plastic containers get a second life and benefit, instead of clogging the environment.
Disadvantages:
👎 The need for lighting and a heat source, especially in winter;
👎 Constant control of the moisture level and spraying several times a day from the spray gun;
👎 The need for manual washing of seeds under running water, which can injure a weak stem;
👎 High probability of root decay.
With insufficient lighting, the vegetation process is delayed and may stop altogether, and the plant itself will die. If it’s winter, then you can’t do without additional lighting.
SOIL USE
To reduce the frequency of irrigation use a special litter of sawdust, peat substrate, coconut fiber. Nutrients are dissolved in it, which allows the sprouts to reach maturation faster.
The substrate is placed in a thin layer at the bottom of the container, after which it is abundantly moistened with water. Excess liquid is carefully drained. Layout the seeds and tamp them lightly. Close the lid of the container and clean it in a warm place. In this state, greens can not be watered for 2-3 days, since the soil retains liquid well.
Benefits:
👍 Low cost of filler;
👍 Seeds germinate faster and do not need nutritious feeding;
👍 The sprouts are smooth and straight;
👍 No worries about drying out.
Disadvantages:
👎 Not suitable for reusable use;
👎 It can serve as a breeding ground for pathogenic flora;
👎 Requires thorough care in the form of washes and disinfection.
Semi-Automated Microgreen Germination Systems
The bulk of the work of growing plants is undertaken, but require some control of the process by humans. Well established for the production of micro-greens for sale, as they increase crop rotation by 3-4 times compared with container and can plantings.
SUBSTRATE HYDROPONICS
The device is a plastic container with a double bottom. The upper part is filled with a nutrient substrate. Most often, this is coconut fiber, since it is ideal for these purposes, is stored for a long time and does not cause the development of pathogenic microflora.
The lower part is made in the form of separate containers in which:
- Water is poured and enriched with oxygen through the operation of the compressor.
- Nutrient components are poured, which are automatically mixed with water and accelerate plant growth.
- There are temperature sensors that signal possible deviations and allow you to quickly correct the situation.
According to the instructions, water and nutrient fertilizers are poured into the containers. The substrate is decomposed, which is pre-wetted with water. Seeds are poured out, after which the device is plugged into the network.
🍂 Some models of substrate hydroponics have a convenient panel on which the main characteristics are displayed. You can manually adjust the temperature and amount of irrigation. The top lid of the containers protects against premature evaporation of the liquid.
Benefits:
👍 You can grow any crops, not just microgreens;
👍 Crop rotation is increasing;
👍 Protection against root rot;
👍 The ability to automate some routine processes.
Disadvantages:
👎 Relatively high cost;
👎 It involves the use of fertilizers and stimulants;
👎 Needs periodic replacement of water;
👎 Requires filter cleaning.
As practice shows, microgreens are grown by hydrophobization, but using a substrate, have better palatability than seedless germination.
BASELESS HYDROPONICS
Fans of perfect cleanliness and the absence of excess garbage in the apartment will like hydroponics, in which water enriched with nutrients is used exclusively as a germinator. The design is similar: containers for water and fertilizers, a filter with a compressor, a temperature sensor with a heating element, a seed grill and a top cover to create a greenhouse effect.
The procedure for working with the device:
- Water and fertilizer are poured into the compartments.
- Seeds are laid out on a wire rack.
- Then they turn on the device in the network.
Optimum conditions are created for the active development of microgreens. For 5-10 days, you can get full-grown sprouts, ready to eat.
Benefits:
👍 Takes up little space, gives quick shoots;
👍 The risk of developing fungal infections of the root system is minimized.
Disadvantages:
👎 High price;
👎 The need to ensure the discharge of water;
👎 Lack of attractive taste and aroma inherent in microgreens.
Fully Automated Germination Systems
They are a full-fledged greenhouse, the care processes of which are automated. There is a set of additional functions that completely eliminate the need for manual labor.
Design features of the home aerosad are as follows:
🍃 Heating system – has special heat elements and sensors that control this process. You can choose the most optimal temperature yourself.
🍃 Aeration system – is provided by a compressor through which air is pumped. Nutrients from water are absorbed faster and in full.
🍃 Backlight – usually the design has a lilac color in the upper part of the phyto lamp, which stimulate photosynthesis processes and accelerate vegetation.
🍃 Additional functions in the form of spraying liquid (in the form of fog), which improves the taste of some varieties of microgreens.
🍂 Typically, such complex structures are used for the industrial production of microgreen. For home use, the first options are suitable.
Benefits:
👍 Can be located in any part of the residential and non-residential area
👍 No need for additional heating
👍 No need to control all processes
👍 In a month you can increase crop rotation up to 3-5 times
Disadvantages:
👎 Very high price
👎 The need to ensure fluid drain
👎 Periodic cleaning of pallets
The Easiest Do It Yourself Propagator
If it is not possible to purchase such expensive mini-gardens, you can make them from what is at hand without paying a dime.
For the construction you will need:
🍃 Two plastic containers of 5-6 liters from water or two bottles of 2 liters.
🍃 An awl or any other sharp object with which you can make holes in the plastic.
🍃 Napkin or toilet paper.
🍃 Desire and good mood.
Assembly sequence:
🍁 You should take a plastic container and cut it with a sharp knife to a height of 3-5 cm from the bottom.
🍁 In one container with the help of an awl, make many small holes.
🍁 Pour warm water into the second half, then insert a container with holes.
🍁 Place napkins or toilet paper on top, moisten with plenty of water.
🍁 Spread the seeds.
🍁 Put a plastic bag on top and tie it well.
🍁 Put on the battery or in any other warm place.
🍂 As soon as the first green appears (after 3-5 days), you need to remove the package and put a home-made design on the windowsill. After 10-15 days, the sprouts will be completely ready for use.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we can say that microgrowth germinators simplify the work of gardeners. A huge number of models in the modern market of horticultural devices, allows you to choose a model for every taste and color. The simplest, but no less effective options can be made from improvised means, spending 10-15 minutes of your own time.