Cultivation of Spirulina Platensis
Spirulina platensis, a blue-green microalgae known for its high protein content, can be cultivated in both mid- to large-scale operations and for personal use. Spirulina thrives in brackish water and takes approximately four months to reach maturity. Spirulina that does not thrive may need to be treated with soda ash, sodium chloride, lime or other chemicals. Once it reaches maturity, spirulina is ready for harvesting. Harvested spirulina, once dried, is used in cooking or as a nutritional supplement. Spirulina cultivation has been traced back as early as the 13th century. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Shovel
- Large mud pot (holding up to 11 gallons)
- Sea salt
- Bio-gas slurry
- Wooden spoon
- Spirulina culture
- Cheesecloth
Instructions
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1
Select an area on your property that receives full sunlight throughout the day. Dig a hole in the ground slightly larger than the circumference and depth of your mud pot. Place the pot in the hole with the open side facing up. Fill the gaps around the pot with dirt and pack it in place.
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2
Fill the bottom of the pot with 1 inch of bio-gas slurry and add 1 g of sea salt for every 3.5 gallons of water your pot will hold. Mix the compounds together using a wooden spoon.
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3
Sprinkle spirulina culture into the slurry and salt mixture. Fill the mud pot with potable water. Stir the mixture.
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4
Leave the mixture to settle overnight.
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5
Stir the mixture four times a day for four days.
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6
Harvest the spirulina by using cheesecloth to scoop it from the pot. The best time to harvest spirulina is when it turns dark green. Rinse the spirulina and allow it to dry in the shade.
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Tips & Warnings
If one day passes with very little sunlight, put off harvesting your spirulina for an additional day.
