How to Release Sticking Microgreen Cover Papers with Water

Sticking cover papers can be caused by certain seeds, like Lemon Basil, being more gelatinous (jelly-like), or it may occur if there is not enough humidity to break down your cover paper's food-grade adhesive. As a preventative first step at set-up, mist or pour water over the top of the seed pads to saturate the cover paper.

Lemon Basil seeds' mucilage (the jelly-like seed coating) helps protect the seeds and retain moisture. This photo is for visual demonstration of the mucilage only, and does not reflect the time at which you should remove the cover paper.

If the rest of the Microgreens sticking out from under the cover paper appear ready to have the cover paper removed and there is just one section still stuck to the paper, mist the paper liberally with clean water, then carefully peel away the paper while wet. 

Lemon Basil Microgreens with the seed pad stuck to one section of leaves; Seed mucilage left behind after spraying and removing the wet cover paper

Once the cover paper is removed, you should see the affected area of Microgreens that were stuck bounce back within a few days, as long as their leaves are still intact. The goopy material left behind will also disappear as your Microgreens grow.

Remember, if you're removing the cover paper, it's also time to remove your Nursery's lid to allow sufficient airflow as your Microgreens keep growing!

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