Have you ever heard of the coconut pads for microgreens? Microgreens are a very rare plant that grows wild in south and north of Australia. The leaves are needle-like and white, unlike the annatto pad which has a fleshy green appearance. These plants are eaten by aborigines but today they are mainly used for decoration, as they make unusual house decorations.
These can be grown easily at home if you have an area where they can grow. The main issue with them is that they are not too frequent in the garden and therefore, they are difficult to find when you plant them. The coconut pads for microgreens need to be planted with care, so plan your planting before you start trying to replant them. The amount of each plant should be carefully watched, as too much of one plant will crowd out all the others, while too little can be crowded out by the other varieties.
There are several methods of growing these succulents. The most common method is by regular old drip irrigation. Water the leaves just enough to keep the soil damp and moist. Do not water the leaves less than once per day. This is a time tested method that has been tried and tested and has done a lot of good for the crop.
If you do not have a greenhouse then a coir bed is suitable for you. It should be fairly large in size and made from natural coconut husks. If possible, the place the coconut pads directly on the coir bed, but try to avoid the middle of the cocoon. This will just encourage the growth of mould. Use drainage strips to run the water over the top of the bed and through the soil, just before it dries out.
As long as you are growing these plants in a reasonably dry climate you will be fine. There are some varieties that will tolerate some shade. You may want to start plants in small pots, because when they get too big the weight causes them to hang upside down. If this is so, you should place them in the smaller pots first and then move them to the larger sizes. As long as the coconut pads for microgreens you choose are firm and dry, they should survive most of your range of climate.
For best results, plant them on a slope. The roots will find it easier to spread out when they are close to the surface. You may have to experiment with growing points to find the best place for your plants. As long as they get sufficient watering they should do well. Make sure that you are giving them the right amount of light. The plants should get between six and eight hours of daylight and get as much warmth as possible.
When your plants seem to be getting ready to burst, put a shallow dish of water on the grass. This helps keep the soil moist while it is still warm enough for them to be growing properly. When they turn brown, remove them from their pots, dry them off, and kept them. This will keep them from growing too big in size and will make them easier to manage. Place coconut pads for microgreens in a similar way to how you would other vegetables.
When you repot your plants, remove all of the leaves and stems. Remove any insects from the soil. Place the coconut pads for microgreens into their new pots, cover with soil and water. Water well, and allow to finish growing before removing them. You will probably have to repeat them a few more times until they are ready to harvest.