Seed Rafts

[veggiechicken]

Another nutty idea!

Joy Larkcom, in her book on Oriental Veg says that the Japanese grow seedlings (microgreens) on floating rafts.

I've made a mini-version from a wooden picture frame, a "chiffon" scarf, some staples and bits of packaging to make a rim.






The "raft" is floating in a gravel tray and the total contents of that packet of Mesclun have been scattered on top of the net.

I've grown seeds in those tiered sprouters and in a jar - both of which need you to rinse them off at least daily or they smell
I've also tried the wet kitchen roll for mustard & cress - again with watering problems.

In theory, the raft method would keep the seedlings roots in water but tops dry.
BTW I tried debris netting and insect netting but the holes were too big and the seeds fell through them. Hence the "scarf" - I never wear scarves anyway!

Questions for you!
Will the seeds grow and push their way through the net?
Will they grow enough to be usable as microgreens?
How long will that take?
Could the seedlings be removed and potted up?

[rary]

It's a good idea, I am quite sure that they will grow and be usable, though any that you try to pot up may have damaged roots as the young roots are bound to get into or through the weave of the fabric, but you never know till you try

[muddled]

Saw a chap do something similar with lettuces.

He grew them in those polystyrene trays you get bedding plants in, floating in a childs paddling pool.
They were very slow to bolt and completely free from slug damage.

[lottie dolly]

That sounds a good idea VC,esspecialy when they are a bit neglected,i wonder if kitchen roll on top of the debri netting will work,as by the time they root,it hopefully would be stable as in, swell and fill the gaps,polystyrene for a frame should also float,you set my brain off now,