Vflowing
Chillin' with the herd
- Joined
- Apr 27, 2014
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- 13
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So I'm 2 weeks into my determination and obsession with growing hydroponic Fodder for my 2 baby Nubian Pygmy wethers. Since I have a very small herd I was able to experiment with the most successful way to do it.
I live in the California Mojave High desert at about 4000ft by Big Bear, Ca. So I don't have the moisture problems in more Southern climes but my first batches still got some tired, questionable old roots. Not actually smelling like mold but not smelling great either. Those batches I discarded.
Research finally led me to a obscure video where a lady who had problems with her sprouts was using a baking soda rinse to prevent mold. I was excited to try it because; although I was ok with putting a small amount of bleach in the soak water and spraying the trays with bleach water, I'm not so thrilled with using it in my growing process.
Hallelujah it worked like a charm. What I'm doing is first giving the trays a good soak, draining that water then a rinse of approx 1 tsp of baking soda in a liter of water, draining that water so there is no standing water in the tray. Voila the breakthrough! All my roots look like they brushed their teeth...smile, they are white, clean and non toxic. The barley grass is growing green, tall and strong and tho my babies are still a bit unsure about it all they are eating every bite I top dress their hay with and munching in the afternoon on their fodder when I hand feed them.
Sorry I've no pictures right now, I am a single disabled lady setting up goat world and a first time goat Mama. I spend most of my time caring for the kids. I will get some pictures posted of my process soon if there is an interest in them.
Much love, Vicki
I live in the California Mojave High desert at about 4000ft by Big Bear, Ca. So I don't have the moisture problems in more Southern climes but my first batches still got some tired, questionable old roots. Not actually smelling like mold but not smelling great either. Those batches I discarded.
Research finally led me to a obscure video where a lady who had problems with her sprouts was using a baking soda rinse to prevent mold. I was excited to try it because; although I was ok with putting a small amount of bleach in the soak water and spraying the trays with bleach water, I'm not so thrilled with using it in my growing process.
Hallelujah it worked like a charm. What I'm doing is first giving the trays a good soak, draining that water then a rinse of approx 1 tsp of baking soda in a liter of water, draining that water so there is no standing water in the tray. Voila the breakthrough! All my roots look like they brushed their teeth...smile, they are white, clean and non toxic. The barley grass is growing green, tall and strong and tho my babies are still a bit unsure about it all they are eating every bite I top dress their hay with and munching in the afternoon on their fodder when I hand feed them.
Sorry I've no pictures right now, I am a single disabled lady setting up goat world and a first time goat Mama. I spend most of my time caring for the kids. I will get some pictures posted of my process soon if there is an interest in them.
Much love, Vicki
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