If you produce hydroponic fodder (HF) to feed cattle, sheep, goats or poultry, grow microgreens for haute cuisine, restaurants or gourmet supermarkets, carry out massive germinations as pre-cultivation before transplanting to the field, or set up intensive urban agriculture projects with growing racks, the GARDESE flat hydroponic tray with UV treatment and resistance to nutrient solutions is the calibrated tool for these scenarios. This guide explains how to choose the cycle according to the application (HF, microgreens, massive germination), how to manage irrigation for each case, how to harvest the continuous root mat, and how to disinfect between cycles to prevent cross-contamination by fungi.
The flat hydroponic tray is the cell-free format for continuous mat production and block harvesting. For producing individual seedlings with a root ball for transplanting—tomato, lettuce, open-field or greenhouse horticultural crops—the correct format is NOT the hydroponic one but the horticultural tray with individual cells, calibrated in four cell sizes according to the crop cycle. Confusing the formats means losing the appropriate geometry.
Product Specifications
The flat hydroponic tray is offered as a single variant calibrated for HF, microgreens, massive germination, and as a base tray for growing racks. The following table provides the complete technical specifications:
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| SKU | 984251 |
| Material | UV-stable virgin plastic resistant to nutrient solutions |
| Geometry | Flat without cells, low side walls |
| UV Treatment | Yes (suitable for greenhouse and outdoor use) |
| Chemical Resistance | Suitable for hydroponic nutrient solutions and standard disinfectants (chlorine, peroxide) |
| Case | 180 trays |
| Stackable | Yes (empty for storage; loaded in growing racks) |
| Suitable for | HF, microgreens, massive germination, pot base |
| Not suitable for | Individual seedlings with root ball for transplant (use horticultural tray) |
The tray serves three distinct operations with the same geometry. HF (hydroponic fodder): cereal seed (barley, corn, wheat, oats) on the tray without substrate, 7-10 day cycle, sprinkler irrigation, harvest of the entire mat for animal feed. Microgreens: seed on a thin layer of substrate (coconut fiber, peat), 7-21 day cycle depending on species, first few days in darkness for elongation, then light for greening; harvest by cutting with scissors at the substrate level. Massive germination: seed on substrate at low density as pre-cultivation of seedlings for subsequent transplanting to soil, a larger hydroponic system or nursery.
The horticultural tray with cells in its four cell sizes is the sister choice when the goal is to produce individual seedlings with a root ball for transplanting to open field, greenhouse or larger pot.
Step-by-step usage guide
The following procedure covers the hydroponic tray cycle with specific notes for each application: HF, microgreens, or massive germination.
Application Selection and Seed Preparation
Define the operation: HF for animal feed, premium microgreens for human consumption, or massive germination as pre-cultivation for transplant. For HF: wash cereal seeds with clean water to remove residue, soak for 6-12 hours (corn, wheat: up to 12 h; barley and oats: 6-8 h), drain, and pre-germinate in a plastic bag or covered container for 24-48 h until the white radicle appears. For microgreens: seeds are placed directly on the substrate without soaking (except for species with hard coats like sunflower and peas, which benefit from 6-12 h soaking). For massive germination: follow the protocol for the species to be transplanted later.
Tray Loading
For HF: spread the pre-germinated seed in a uniform layer of approximately 1 cm directly onto the plastic of the tray, without substrate—the seed and roots form the mat's own substrate. Approximate density: 1-1.5 kg of dry seed per tray at the beginning of soaking. For microgreens: spread a thin layer of substrate (1-2 cm of moist coir fiber or commercial microgreens peat) and sow seeds at high density (covering the surface without clumping). For massive germination: spread 2-3 cm of commercial germination substrate and sow at the recommended density for the species. In all cases, press gently so the seed makes good contact with the medium.
Cycle Management and Irrigation by Application
For HF: professional cycle of 7-10 days with sprinkler irrigation every 2-3 hours during daylight hours (6-8 daily irrigations), turned off at night. Apply a light nutrient solution from day 4 to 8 and only water on the last days. For microgreens: irrigation by sub-irrigation (placing the product tray in another tray with water until the substrate is saturated by capillarity) or fine misting with a fine-spout watering can; dark cycle for the first 3-4 days (induces stem elongation for greater edible height) and then direct light until harvest between day 7 and 21 depending on the species. For massive germination: sprinkler irrigation 1-2 times a day, maintaining constant humidity without waterlogging.
For commercial microgreen production, the first 3-4 days in total darkness make the difference between premium microgreens with commercial height (8-10 cm) and stunted microgreens that the chef rejects. Darkness forces the sprout to seek light, elongating the stem, and only when the stem reaches sufficient height is it exposed to light for the leaves to green and form their characteristic flavor. Without the dark phase, microgreens grow stocky and with a weak flavor. The professional technique uses tray stacking during this phase: product trays stacked with the weight of another empty tray on top, in a dark area, simulating the effect of the soil they would have in natural germination. This is the difference between home kitchen microgreens and chef's microgreens.
Mat Harvesting
For HF: lift the entire mat (roots + germinated cereal, typically 20-25 cm high by day 7-10) by pulling from one edge—it will come out as a whole carpet. Cut into portions to distribute among animals according to the feeding plan. For microgreens: cut with sharp scissors or a kitchen knife flush with the substrate, just above the germination line. Harvest the entire mat in one operation and pack immediately refrigerated to maintain freshness. For massive germination: extract individual seedlings with their root ball for transplanting to the final medium, pre-watering the tray to facilitate separation without breaking rootlets.
Cleaning and Disinfection Between Cycles
After each harvest, remove root and substrate residues with a hose or brush. Wash the tray with soapy water, rinse, and immerse in a 200 ppm chlorine solution (for food industry, microgreens) or 500 ppm (HF and massive germination with previous fungus problems) for 10-15 minutes. Rinse with clean water and let dry in the sun—UV radiation completes surface disinfection without the need for additional chemicals. Disinfection between cycles is MANDATORY for HF and microgreens: a tray with fungal spores from the previous cycle will contaminate the next one and result in uncommercial product. For microgreen production for haute cuisine, keep a disinfection record per tray and batch as part of the food safety program.
Do not reuse trays between cycles without proper disinfection, especially for HF and microgreens. Residues of roots, ungerminated seeds, and trapped moisture from the previous cycle create a perfect environment for Fusarium, Pythium, Aspergillus, and other fungi that contaminate the next cycle, cause visible mold (white, gray, or black spots on the mat), and ruin the entire production. In HF for animal feed, the resulting mycotoxins can be toxic to livestock; in microgreens for human consumption, they disqualify the product for sale. The professional rule is: no tray returns to cultivation without having gone through washing, chlorine disinfection, and sun drying—it's better to wait a day in the sun before reusing than to risk an entire production cycle to save an hour.
HF, Microgreens, or Massive Germination?
The choice among the three applications depends on the final product you are looking for: green fodder for animal feed, premium microgreens for human consumption, or seedlings for transplanting. Each case has its own protocol for sowing, irrigation, cycle, and harvesting. Ask the assistant with your scenario and we will guide you to the correct cycle for the operation you are undertaking.
Complementary Products
To complement the flat hydroponic tray for Fodder, microgreens, and mass germination production, the following products cover the most common adjacent needs:
The horticultural tray with cells is the sibling product for individual seedling production with root balls when the objective is transplanting to fields, greenhouses, or pots. Expanded perlite improves substrate aeration in mass germination with a hydroponic tray as a base. Expanded vermiculite provides moisture retention in microgreen and mass germination substrates. The plastic pallet with 3 skids is used for internal transport when trays of boxes arrive at the Fodder plant or microgreen greenhouse.
Maintenance and care
The hydroponic tray is designed for intensive use in consecutive short cycles, so maintenance between cycles is the central activity: washing with soapy water, disinfection with chlorine 200-500 ppm depending on the application, rinsing, and sun drying. Inspection should focus on lateral edges for breakages due to handling (discard the tray if it compromises rigidity), surfaces with deep scratches where organic residues accumulate (critical area for fungal proliferation), and top edges with deformation due to incorrect stacking in storage.
For storage between seasons or spaced cycles, keep trays clean and dry, stacked in the shade. Continuous UV radiation reduces the lifespan even of UV-stabilized material, so indoor storage between cycles prolongs the total number of profitable cycles. In continuous microgreen production operations (which is the most demanding pattern), the tray stock must be rotated, with a portion always being cleaned-disinfected-dried while another portion is in active cultivation, distributing the load across the entire set.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Which cereal works best for Fodder?
Barley and corn are the most used in the Dominican Republic due to their availability, cost, and yield. Barley yields cycles of 7-10 days with a dense mat that is very palatable for cattle and sheep. Corn yields slightly longer cycles (10-12 days) with excellent height and volume but requires stricter monitoring against fungi due to its higher starch content. Wheat and oats are valid alternatives, especially when regional availability or favorable prices exist. The critical point is to buy clean seeds (without chemical treatment for pest protection in the field, as these chemicals are toxic for animal consumption); field seeds intended for human or animal consumption, not treated agricultural seeds.
How do I properly disinfect between cycles?
Professional protocol: (1) remove all root residues, ungerminated seeds, and substrate with a hose or brush; (2) wash with water and mild soap; (3) immerse the tray in a 200 ppm chlorine solution for microgreens and human food trays, or 500 ppm for Fodder and trays with previous fungal problems, for 10-15 minutes; (4) rinse with clean water to remove chlorine residue; (5) allow to sun dry for at least a few hours—direct UV radiation completes surface disinfection. For production destined for premium human consumption, keep written records of disinfection per tray and batch as part of the project's food safety program.
Is this tray suitable for NFT or DWC hydroponic systems?
This tray is the classic format for Fodder, microgreens, and mass germination, where the tray contains the entire crop. For continuous cultivation hydroponic systems such as NFT (Nutrient Film Technique) or DWC (Deep Water Culture) with adult plants (lettuce, herbs, strawberries), the tray serves as an initial germinator where seedlings develop; the seedlings are then transferred to the NFT/DWC system in separate baskets. The tray itself is not the production unit of the NFT/DWC system, but rather the pre-culture. In this flow, the horticultural tray with cells is also a valid option and simplifies transfer to the final system.