Moldy cress or cress sprouts are harmful to health and should never be eaten. In most cases, an incorrect base or waterlogging are responsible for mold growth. But uncleanliness can also lead to mold developing.

Is it actually mold?

If a white coating forms on the seedlings, this does not necessarily have to be mould. The fine cress roots initially develop a network that is somewhat reminiscent of mold.

To find out if it is actually mold, do the smell test. If cress or spores smell musty and unpleasant, it is probably due to mold growth.

A fresh, spicy-pungent smell indicates that the cress is completely healthy and perfectly edible.

Discard moldy cress

If mold has appeared, throw the cress away. Simply removing the top layer of soil, as is often recommended, will not help as the lower layers of soil are also infested with spores.

Do not dispose of moldy cress in the compost, but throw it in the household waste or the organic waste bin.

Use pulp instead of soil

The plant substrate plays an important role in preventing mold growth.

Cheap or exhausted garden soil often contains mold spores, which spread quickly when waterlogged. Before sowing, dry the soil in the oven at high temperatures for a short time.

You can use other materials instead of earth. These are mostly unstressed and do not go moldy that quickly:

  • cotton
  • paper towels
  • Disposable handkerchiefs
  • peat tablets

Mold is favored by waterlogging

Keep the cress evenly moist, but make sure that there is no waterlogging.

It has proven useful to rinse the seeds with fresh water every morning. You have to be very careful not to let the seed float away. Use a spray bottle and hold the planter at a slight angle so that excess water can drain off.

An airy location in the sun is also advisable because the plants can dry off better.

tips and tricks

If you want to be absolutely sure that the cress or the sprouts don't get moldy, cultivate the cress in a two-pot system. The upper pot in which the seeds are sown gets a few drainage holes. This allows the water to drain into the bottom pot and prevents mold from forming.

Category:

Vegetable garden