Professional microgreen production places very different demands on growing media compared with small-scale or home growing. Consistent growth, reliable water retention, clean handling and correctly sized mats can all have a significant impact on an efficient production process.
A recent inquiry from a professional microgreen grower highlights some of the key questions commercial growers face when choosing growing mats.
Hemp Mats for Microgreens in Different Weights
For professional production, it can be useful to test hemp growing mats in different weights and thicknesses.
Particularly interesting options include:
- approx. 600 g/m²
- approx. 800–1,000 g/m²
- approx. 1,300 g/m²
Comparing different weights is especially useful when growing crops with different requirements. A thicker and heavier mat can provide increased water retention and a more substantial rooting medium for vigorous crops.
This can be particularly relevant for pea shoots. Peas develop a strong root system and generally require more water during cultivation than many smaller microgreen varieties.
In addition to pea shoots, growing mats can be suitable for crops such as:
radish, mustard, broccoli, cress and many other microgreens.
Coconut Fiber Mats as an Alternative to Hemp
In addition to hemp mats, coconut fiber mats can be an interesting growing medium for professional microgreen growers.
Hemp and coconut fiber differ in characteristics such as structure, water absorption, water retention and root penetration.
The best option therefore depends on the crop, irrigation system and individual production process.
For larger commercial growers, testing different materials and weights under actual production conditions can be the best way to determine which growing medium performs most reliably.
Custom-Cut Mats for Existing Growing Trays
Professional growers often already use established tray systems. Therefore, choosing the right material is only part of the equation — the correct dimensions are equally important.
In this particular case, the grower uses trays measuring 230 × 370 mm and requires hemp and coconut fiber mats cut specifically to this size.
Custom-cut growing mats can reduce daily preparation time. The mat can be placed directly into the tray without additional cutting before seeding.
For commercial production involving hundreds or thousands of trays, even small improvements in preparation time can make a significant difference.
Test First – Then Scale Up
Before changing growing media in a professional operation, testing different options is highly recommended.
Test quantities of around 50–100 mats per specification, for example, allow growers to compare materials, thicknesses and weights under real production conditions.
Important factors include germination, root development, water retention, handling and overall crop performance.
If the trials are successful, larger quantities can then be planned according to the production requirements.
For established commercial microgreen growers, annual demand can quickly reach several thousand square metres of growing mats.
Which Microgreen Growing Mat Is Best?
There is no single mat that is ideal for every microgreen crop or production system.
The most suitable growing mat depends on factors such as:
- crop variety
- growing period
- seeding density
- irrigation system
- required water retention
- tray dimensions
- production volume
For pea shoots in particular, comparing different mat thicknesses and weights can be worthwhile because of their vigorous root development and water requirements.
Commercial growers should therefore consider more than just the price per square metre. The key question is how reliably and efficiently the growing medium performs throughout the entire production process.
Are You a Commercial Microgreen Grower?
At microgreen-matten.de, we focus on hemp and coconut fiber growing mats for microgreen production.
Do you require a specific mat size, want to test different weights or need larger commercial quantities?
Contact us to discuss your requirements. We can help you evaluate suitable mat specifications, custom dimensions and test quantities for your microgreen production.