What happens if you plant molded wheatgrass in soil? Although it is trendy in the health community, wheatgrass has too many nutrients to be a viable choice for garden use. But if you have tried growing wheatgrass previously, you may have noticed the presence of mold especially in humid or low ventilation conditions.
One common and often troublesome strain of mold can make people wonder if it’s even safe or effective to plant your molded wheatgrass in dirt.
This article examines what to do if you find molded wheatgrass in soil, how mold affects plant health and whether or not it is harmful, which conditions promote its development, and tips on mould prevention so that your wheatgrass can be healthier and more productive.
Mold on Wheatgrass
Mold usually appears on wheatgrass when the conditions for growth are humid and favorable. These conditions can unintentionally promote the growth of mold, since wheatgrass seeds and sprouts require consistent moisture to germinate. Mold that you may notice growing on wheatgrass is generally white or gray and fuzzy to the naked eye, almost like a spider web.
It should also be emphasized that unless it is very large, mold in itself does not usually harm the wheatgrass plant but can pose problems to the gardener and affect the growth medium quality. Mold can cause:
- Bad Germination:
Mold takes up space and nutrients, which stops seeds from germinating more effectively. Mold development can hinder nutrient uptake and overall root health of the wheatgrass, resulting in stunted growth
- Elevated Disease Risk
Mold may attract pathogens and pests, making plant disease more likely.
What if you tried planting that moldy wheatgrass into the dirt?
The soil infected with mold may yield wheatgrass, but the results will vary based on how bad the mold was as well as whether or not you use high quality soil. Now let’s take a closer look at what happens for the example, if they planted the molded wheatgrass directly into the soil:
- Spread of Mold in Soil
If you take seeded molded wheatgrass and plant them, the fungus spores will enter the soil and possibly infect near-by plants. Mold will still thrive in wet soil, though some of the soil-borne microbes might compete with and control the mold.
- Poor Growth and Yield
Non-molded wheatgrass is usually stronger than modeled. It can struggle after planting, resulting in poor yield or weak plant growth. Mold can block root growth needed to absorb nutrients and thrive.
Easier Targets For Pests And Disease
Mold also attracts annoying pests such as fungus gnats, which are drawn to moldy or decaying plant matter. This can cause an issue not just for the wheatgrass but for other plants in your garden as well. Furthermore, if mold affects the plants too much, it will weaken its defenses against fungal diseases and other pathogens.
- Potential Soil Imbalance
Incorporating diseased plant tissues into a particular soil may change the composition of microbial communities by altering soil properties, affecting the health status of soil and plants. Beneficial bacteria, fungi, and other organisms make soil healthy. The presence of mold may upset this balance, and the soil ecosystem’s natural nutrient cycle can become ineffective.
Wheatgrass is a great way to eat healthy, yet there are concerns about the safety of planting wheatgrass as they could carry molds.
If you really want to plant the moldy wheatgrass, below are some steps that might help to prevent problems:
- Moldy Wheatgrass: Rinse and Treat
Just wash the wheatgrass seeds or sprouts to get rid of the most mold before planting. Hydrogen peroxide solution (1 teaspoon 3% hydrogen peroxide to 1 cup water) can help kill mold on the seeds or the seedlings. Dry the wheatgrass a little before planting
- Use Fresh, Well-Draining Soil
Fungus grows best in wet conditions. The soil should be well-drained, and water the wheatgrass only sparingly. Soil with good drainage prevents molds from surviving and spreading when your seeds are planted.
- Plant in an area with enough sunlight and good ventilation
To stop the mold from coming back, plant wheatgrass in a very sunny spot with adequate air flow. The sun is a natural deterrent against mold and air movement can help to dehydrate it.
- Avoid Overcrowding Seeds
The humidity makes our atmosphere denser and harder for air flow to pass causing thick humidity & mold. Spread wheatgrass seeds apart to allow airflow.
- If Absolutely Needed, Apply Organic Fungicides
If mold keeps reappearing, then a natural fungicide such as neem oil can be used to stop the mold from spreading without severely affecting the wheatgrass. Neem oil – Safe to use on edible plants, it also can help stop mold and pests from growing.
How to Prevent Mold on Wheatgrass
Mold is manageable, but the best way to handle it is to never allow wheatgrass seeds to be exposed to mold in the first place. Some tips are given below to avoid the mold at all:
- Soak and Rinse Seeds Properly
Soak wheatgrass seeds for 8-12 hours in clean water before planting. Then, after soaking, rinse the seeds well and drain. This process is to get rid of surface contaminants and may help prevent the growth of mold.
- Maintain the Appropriate Levels of Humidity and Temperature
Mold prefers warm and wet atmospheres, so moderate temperatures help discourage mold. In case of indoor wheatgrass growth, use a fan or windows to circulate air & decrease humidity.
- Avoid Overwatering
Wheatgrass requires a steady level of moisture but does not do well when saturated. Minimise watering and let the soil surface dry out a bit between waterings to help prevent mold. If they are placed in trays, watering from below can also keep the top dry.
- Use Proper Growing Trays
Drain hole trays — A must-have for wheatgrass growing, they stop water accumulation in the grass area that can promote mold. Ensure trays are well-drained/clean to prevent mold formation!
- Rotate Wheatgrass Plantings
Do not grow wheatgrass in the same soil for long, yours may have a variety of pathogens within them, that will build up over time. To ensure healthy growth, rotate your wheatgrass plantings or use new soil for each crop.
Mold in the Garden: Why It Happens and What to Do About It
It is good to know that not all mold poses a risk. This fungi and mold are working very well in the ecosystem of a healthy soil breaking down that organic material into nutrients for plants. On the other hand, wheatgrass mold that can be white fluff on seedlings is usually an indicator of a bad wet environment and should be treated cautiously so they do not adversely impact what you’re growing.
In compost, however, mold has a role to play breaking down the plant material. The heavy microbial activity in compost creates a balance that keeps mold from becoming a problem. Similar to growing in the ground, if you have molded wheatgrass then it will be used up in a compost pile instead of soil.
Composting lets it decompose on its own terms, where that mold can become useful nutrients without directly colonizing your plants.
Final thoughts
What happens if you plant molded wheatgrass in soil? Cultivated moldy wheatgrass in direct soil is not the best, as it will also spread its mould then and can bring pests as followers at once. Some risks can be mitigated by rinsing and treating the molded wheatgrass, but it is still better not to save the situation if there are heavy traces of mold you can’t even be sure that this will return a great outcome.
Ideally, the real key is preventative care; avoiding mold in the first place by ensuring correct moisture control, airflow and temperature. If you have wheatgrass that has already gone moldy, then composting it is usually a better option compared to planting the wheatgrass directly into soil.
