By growing spirulina, you’ll be able to use bluish-green algae in a variety of medicines and beauty products. The basic steps are as follows.
Where to Cultivate Spirulina
The most important factor is the temperature. The ideal range is between 25 C to 35 C. Temperatures below 20 C and above 38 C will kill these algae.
They can also be grown in open containers as long as it is corrosion-proof.
Brackish water is also a good place to cultivate it. Concrete and UV-resistant ponds are also good choices to grow them.
The Mud Pot Method
There are plenty of methods for growing spirulina, but the mud pot system is best for home growers. Get 3 grams of sea salt. Mix it with a biogas slurry medium and a bit of spirulina culture.
Put this mixture in mud pots. Mix in some water. Now place these pots in areas where they can get sunlight. Stir it 4 times a day.
The end result won’t be affected by the shape of the container. However, most growers avoid containers with sharp edges. The reason is that round shapes make cleaning much easier.
Harvesting
The spirulina will mature after four days. Transfer the mixture into a cloth filtration. Wash the spirulina using fresh water.
Combine it with chapatti to get rid of the chemicals. Dry the unused algae in the shade so you can use it later.
Harvesting is easy, but it can be difficult if the water is sticky. The best time to collect spirulina is in the morning.
One reason is the low temperature makes the operation easier. It also leaves you plenty of sunlight, which is very important when growing spirulina.
Another reason is that the proteins in the algae are at their peak. Most spirulina lasts a few days in the fridge at most. Putting in a bit of salt will help increase its storage life for a few months.
However, the appearance may change. The taste may also be less palatable. You can also freeze it. While it may affect the color, it doesn’t change the taste in any way.
If spirulina is to be distributed, drying is the best way to store it. Properly packaged and stored ones can last up to five years.
The process, however, is too complex for those new to growing spirulina.
Spirulina Feeding and Nourishment
Its main source of nourishment is carbon, drawn from the air. Other nutrients that can be given are CO2 gas or other organic material. Bicarbonate is another feeding solution.
While it takes some experimentation, it’s very manageable. It won’t be long before you become comfortable and produce them in bunches.
Keep in mind that the bicarbonate or sugar level needs to be around pH 10.4.
Anything lower than that will affect the algae’s production. Other biological nutrients like Ca, Fe, N, and P are required.
Calcium can also be mixed in with the chemicals fed to the algae.
The process for growing spirulina is a bit more complicated than other vegetables and fruits.
But it has a lot of uses and all the hard work will pay dividends down the road.
