How do I troubleshoot common microgreen problems?
Identifying and fixing mold, poor germination, leggy growth, yellowing, and other common issues.
- Prevent and treat mold with airflow and hydrogen peroxide4
Mold is the most common microgreen problem, caused by high humidity, poor airflow, and overwatering. Prevention is far easier than treatment, but caught early, mold can be managed without losing the tray.
π diy2/10/2026, 5:51:38 AM
π οΈ 3% hydrogen peroxide, spray bottle, small fan
- Prevent damping-off disease with sanitation and airflow4
Damping-off is a fungal disease where seedlings suddenly collapse at the soil line, with stems turning brown and mushy. It spreads fast and can wipe out an entire tray overnight. Prevention is essential because there's no cure once it starts.
π best practice2/10/2026, 5:52:13 AM
π οΈ Bleach or hydrogen peroxide, spray bottle, fan
- Remove stuck seed hulls with a quick misting trick3
Seed hulls (shells) stuck on top of microgreen leaves are a cosmetic nuisance that can also block light and slow growth. This is most common with sunflower, beet, and cilantro microgreens.
π diy2/10/2026, 5:52:06 AM
π οΈ Spray bottle, paper towel
- Fix leggy, tall microgreens by lowering your lights4
Tall, spindly microgreens with thin stems that fall over are etiolated β stretching toward insufficient light. This is purely a lighting problem and is easy to fix.
π best practice2/10/2026, 5:51:53 AM
π οΈ LED grow light
- Fix uneven or poor germination with proper pre-soaking4
Patchy trays with bare spots and uneven growth are usually caused by dry seeds, uneven sowing, or inconsistent moisture during the critical first 24-48 hours. Pre-soaking larger seeds solves most germination problems.
π best practice2/10/2026, 5:51:46 AM
π οΈ Bowl for soaking