White Fuzzy Roots, What’s the Deal?

White Fuzzy Roots, What’s the Deal?

Feeling unsure of what has grown on your microgreens? Is it mold or is it white fuzzy roots? What’s the deal!!!?

If you see these white fuzzy root hairs as shown below, know that your Seed Quilt is happy, healthy and growing! Don’t worry - these tiny little root hairs are a completely normal part of the growing process.

                                            Photos taken by: Sean Goodman from Hamama Friends Group

                                                                        Photo taken by: Murray W. Nabors  

 

When roots have access to lots of oxygen for root respiration, these tiny fuzzy root hairs form - a great sign of healthy, happy root development!

Here are a couple more photos below from Hamama customers who have grown crops with beautiful white fuzzy root hairs! :D

                                                                                    Photo taken by: Heather

                                                                                Photo taken by: Rebecca

Though white fuzzy root hairs and mold can look a little similar, they do take different forms. Take a look first at the difference.

                                                                        Photo taken by: lowimpact.org

 

Recognizing the Difference Between Roots and Mold

Look closely at the roots - are the white fuzzy stems all growing directly off the main root? In that case, it’s happy, healthy root hairs! In contrast, mold has a more spider web-like, random form.

How Hamama Seed Quilts help prevent mold so you don’t have to worry!: 

 Hamama Seed Quilts are designed with air flow in mind - the most important factor to consider when it comes to preventing mold! You can thank the porous coconut fiber grow mat part of the Seed Quilt for this great airflow.

Another important factor is ensuring there is no over-watering. When you place the Seed Quilt in the grow tray and press down on it so it can absorb water, it allows the seeds to absorb water and stay moist, but without becoming water-logged. The water level will drop below the fill line and eventually below the level of the coconut fiber mat, which allows the roots to access more oxygen. The cool thing is that - even with this air gap - the roots and coconut fiber mat are still gradually wicking water up to the seeds. And that’s how Seed Quilts are designed to avoid water-logging!  

Lastly - placing your grow tray near houseplants or fruit baskets can increase risk of mold or plant disease, so if you do really want to grow near other plants - do some testing and be aware that if problems do arise, you may want to find a more isolated spot for your microgreens.

Top Photo below: Hamama Seed Quilt with the coconut fiber underneath.

Bottom Photo below: Our Grow Tray with the ribs in the middle to help wisk up water properly to the seed quilt.

                      Top photo taken by: Carolyn Severin (Hamama Customer Happiness Team Member)

                      Bottom photo taken by: Hamama

 

The ribs at the bottom of the grow tray hold the Seed Quilt above the water to avoid over-soaking of the seeds!

I hope this has been helpful for you!! As you grow, just remember those white, healthy, fuzzy roots are a great sign, not mold!

Happy, healthy roots = Happy, healthy microgreens!! When your greens are happy, you are happy!!! :D

If you have any additional questions, we are always here to answer them for you at Hamama!!!

Contact our Customer Happiness Team Members here.

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21 comments

Hello Lorraine!
Thank you for reaching out to us! So sorry for your growing pains! Please reach out to us for support at hamama.com/help (sending a picture helps us a lot!). Our Grow Coaches and Customer Happiness Team Members are always here for you!

In the meantime, be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for updates, tips, and virtual growing support: https://www.youtube.com/c/HAMAMA_greens

Brittany Hamama

I’am on day 21 and i only have one sprout.

lorraine babbitt

I’m so glad I searched about the WHITE FUZZ on my Daikon Radish Seeds. It’s not mold and my seeds are happy and healthy! So glad to know! Thanks for posting about the white fuzz and difference with mold. Very helpful!

Stephanie Smith

Hello Arlene!

Thank you so much for reaching out to us! We typically recommend peeling off the top paper layer between 4-6 days! So as long as your quilt was fully germinated then you should be good! :) Super excited for you to harvest! If you ever need any assistance, please feel free to reach out to us at hamama.com/help! Happy Growing! :)

Brittany Hamama

Today is day 3 and I peeled the cover off. I hope it wasn’t too early. They all have sprouted except for one little pod in a corner. Can’t wait!

Arlene Emerson

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