Micro salad failure

[Marb67]

So, now I can't even grow something as simple as micro salad successfully. Getting enough water, not too much or too little. Grown in sandy used compost (it thrives on tissue paper by the instructions)

So why is it like this ?

[teakdesk]

Too warm; not enough light???

[veggiechicken]

Looks a bit leggy - straining towards the light.

[skeggijon]

I agree. Looks like they're not getting enough light.

[rustylady]

Where were you growing them?

[Marb67]

The greenhouse and now the kitchen window. Both plenty of light.

[BertieFox]

Who told you that micro salad was EASY? Like most of these commercially produced products it is grown hydroponically with a careful balance of nutrients in the solution. Grown in a seed tray or pot it will only thrive as well as the nutrients in your compost, and the availability of light and water.

I have a seed tray of small beetroot seedlings which I was intending to plant out months ago. But in the module, kept well watered, I have about four 'fulll size' mini beetroot, but the majority have remained as tiny seedlings with no 'beet' having developed. I think the same applies to mini salads and not everything will grow well unless you can provide exactly what they need.

Try regular feeding with a very good well balanced liquid feed.

[Potstubsdustbins]

#6 They may be getting all the available light but that does not mean they are getting enough light.

[Hazel at the Hill]

Yes, they need more light - but all is not lost, trim them off with kitchen scissors and sprinkle on your salad/mashed spud and they will add a divine punch of taste.

There should be enough light at this time of year, even so - next lot, sow in a seed tray (with drainage holes) and maximise your light by following the sun around the garden - front and back. If your MPC is fresh, there should be enough goodness in there to support micro greens without additional feeding.

[Marb67]

Surely there is still enough light this time of year. All other plants and house plants are doing ok. Besides, salad doesn't need direct sunlight because it will be too harsh. The packet does say it only needs tissue paper to grow on.

[veggiechicken]

Have you tried growing it on tissue paper?
When did you sow them? Is it a mixture of seeds?
They all look like some sort of brassicas - kale?

[Marb67]

They are all the same and look purple like Kale as you say. Thinking about it I did initially grow them on tissue when I first got them at the beginning of the year and they came up ok.

[veggiechicken]

Stick with paper then, if it works for you.
Better still, do a side by side test - some on paper, some in your compost and see which is better.

[Marb67]

Cress always grows no matter what time of year you grow it.

[teakdesk]

Cress always grows no matter what time of year you grow it.

Indeed it does; in summer it grows short and stumpy and in winter it grows tall and weak!