Chinese mahogany, or Chinese Toona Sinensis, is a plant grown in southeastern Asia. When grown as a microgreen, you can expect to harvest within 15 to 30 days from planting. This delicious microgreen tastes similar to roasted garlic and can be served alongside your favorite red meat dish or in your favorite salad.
Chinese mahogany is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to relieve a number of health conditions. This microgreen is loaded with several nutrients, including B vitamins, folic acid, vitamin C, and vitamin K.
Chinese Toona contains flavonoids, terpenoids, and phenylpropanoids that provide antioxidant protection, anti-tumor effects, anti-inflammatory properties, and anti-diabetic effects for improved health. For thousands of years, Chinese Mahogany has been used to detoxify the body, and relieve urinary tract infections, skin eruptions, and dysentery.
Chinese Mahogany has a high germination rate and is a popular addition to a variety of Asian dishes. Chinese Toona can be difficult to grow; however, with our easy-to-follow instructions, you can begin enjoying Chinese mahogany microgreens in less than one month.
Our Chinese mahogany microgreen overview will provide you with pertinent information to help you determine if you want to grow this amazing microgreen. In the chart below, you will find information on the microgreen's flavor, color, difficulty growing, and much more.
| Attribute | Profile |
| Flavor | Chinese mahogany microgreens taste like roasted garlic, chives, and sesame seeds. |
| Pre-Soak (Yes/No) | Yes – Chinese Toona microgreen seeds require presoaking. |
| Color | Chinese Toona features large vibrant green leaves on green stems. |
| Germination Time | Germination times vary; however, you can expect germination to take place 7 to 10 days after planting. |
| Harvest Time | Your Chinese mahogany microgreens will be ready to harvest 15 to 30 days after planting. |
| Green Thumb Level (1-5) | 4 – Chinese microgreen germination and growth rate is uneven. |
Chinese Toona is one of the more difficult microgreens to grow; however, if you refer to our easy-to-understand guide, you will be enjoying these delicious microgreens in no time.
Novice, as well as professional microgreen growers, often have questions concerning Chinese mahogany microgreens. Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions concerning Chinese Toona Sinensis microgreens.
No; however, growth and germination are uneven, which means you will be able to harvest Chinese mahogany as the first set of true leaves appear.
These microgreens are typically ready for harvest within 15 to 30 days from planting.
Chinese Toona Sinensis prefers well-drained, moist soil with a pH level ranging between 5.5 and 8.0. However, they can be grown in coconut coir or using hydroponic grow mats. For this microgreen, we recommend using seed starting soil. The following equipment can help get you started growing this Chinese microgreen.
There are several microgreen starter kits on the market. The best ones will contain everything that you need to grow microgreens, including the soil, microgreen grow trays, a misting bottle, and pH strips to get you started. All you will need to purchase is your seeds and any other household products you need to adjust the pH level of your water. We recommend using this deluxe microgreen kit for Chinese Toona microgreens.
You can also purchase individual pieces of equipment to grow Chinese Toona microgreens. Here is an overview of the items you will need.
Chinese mahogany microgreens must be soaked for at least 4 hours before planting. You can also pre-sprout your Chinese Toona seeds, which can take 24 to 48 hours. A pint jar with a screw-top lid is a great option for pre-soaking microgreen seeds.
You can grow Chinese Mahogany microgreens in a variety of growing mediums, including coconut coir and seed-starting potting soil. Because Chinese Toona prefers a balanced pH level, we recommend growing these microgreens in seed-starting potting soil.
Coconut Coir is a growing medium made from coconuts, making it a renewable growing medium. This soilless mixture is sold compacted; however, when it is watered, it expands. One benefit of coconut coir is its ability to retain water.
Seed starting potting soil is specially created for germination and early growth, making it the perfect choice for microgreens. This fine-grained soil is pH balanced and contains the nutrients your microgreens need to thrive.
You will need three trays for your Chinese mahogany microgreens. You will need one tray with holes and two trays without holes. We recommend using 10 inch by 20 inch growing trays; however, there are other sized growing trays available.
Growing Tray with Holes – You will need one tray with holes. This tray will be where your soil and seeds are located. This type of tray allows you to water from the bottom up, which reduces the risk of fungus and mold.
Growing Tray s Without Holes – You will need two trays without holes. One tray will be used as a humidity dome during the germination process. The other tray will hold the tray with your seeds and soil and help with bottom watering.
A misting bottle helps you water your seeds and soil without disturbing the seeds.
A grow light will help ensure that your Chinese mahogany microgreens receive the light that they need for proper growth and development.
A heating mat for your Chinese Toona microgreens helps keep your soil at the perfect temperature to encourage germination.
A planting rack is optional; however, it allows you to use your growing space vertically, which means you can increase the number of microgreens grown in an area. Furthermore, a planting rack allows you to attach full spectrum grow lights and circulation fans for improved health and growth of your microgreens.
Circulation fans are designed to increase airflow in and around your microgreen growing trays. This increased airflow helps reduce the risk of mold and other soilborne diseases.
Chinese Mahogany microgreen seeds are non-GMO seeds that produce an exotic microgreen that has a delicious garlic/chive flavor. These microgreens are quite different than most other types of microgreens and allow for a continuous harvest due to uneven germination and development.
Although Chinese Mahogany microgreens are considered to be a medium-difficult microgreen to grow, you can successfully grow them in your home microgreen garden when you follow our easy-to-use directions. These step-by-step directions will ensure a successful crop of Chinese Mahogany microgreens.
Before beginning the steps listed below, you will need to presoak your microgreen seeds. Presoaking helps to soften the hard shell surrounding the seed and encourages faster germination. You will need to presoak Chinese Mahogany microgreen seeds for at least 4 hours. If you prefer, you can soak them overnight to help speed up the germination process.
Once you have gathered your microgreen growing supplies, it is time to prepare your growing trays for Chinese Mahogany microgreens. Begin by placing the growing tray with holes inside one of the growing trays without holes.
Add soil to the growing tray with holes until the soil is at the top of the growing tray. Use the remaining growing tray to press down and level the soil. You will need to continue adding soil and pressing it down until the soil is level and filled to slightly below the top of the growing tray.
Once you have filled your growing tray up, you will need to moisten the soil. This can be done by placing the tray with holes into a sink or tub of water and allow it to soak up the water for at least 30 minutes. If you prefer, you can spray down your growing medium with your misting bottle. If using a misting bottle, spray down the soil and allow the water to soak into the soil for 5 to 10 minutes before spraying again. You will need to repeat this technique approximately 3 to 4 times to ensure your growing medium is adequately moistened.
Once you have prepared your growing tray, it is time to plant your seeds. Spread your seeds evenly across the surface of your growing medium. Then, gently press down on the seeds to ensure they are planted in the soil.
After you have pressed on the seeds, you need to cover the seeds with a small amount of soil. A fine layer is all that is needed. Finally, spray the soil and seeds with water once again using your misting bottle.
In order for seeds to properly germinate, they must be placed in complete darkness just like they would be if they were planted in the ground. The best way to do this is to invert the last tray with no holes in it on top of your seeds and soil.
To help ensure the tray remains in place and the seeds are pressed into the soil, place a brick, a weight, or a heavy stone on top of the tray. This extra weight will not damage your microgreens. It will, in fact, strengthen the roots and create healthier microgreens.
It will take your microgreens approximately 6 to 14 days for your Chinese Mahogany seeds to germinate. During this time, you will need to check on the moisture level of your growing medium every three days. If you notice the soil is beginning to dry out, use your misting bottle to moisten the soil until damp. Then, replace the tray and weigh it back down.
Once your seeds have sprouted, you are ready to remove the weight and the top tray and place your microgreens under your grow light. Do not worry if your microgreens are pale or white when you remove the lid. This is completely normal.
Your full spectrum LED grow lights will cause photosynthesis to occur, and your microgreens will turn a beautiful shade of green within a few days. Throughout the remainder of the growing process, your Chinese Mahogany microgreens will remain and the grow lights. These lights will be left on continually to ensure proper growth and development.
After your microgreens have germinated and you have placed them under your grow lights, you will want to turn on your circulation fans. The most effective way to utilize circulation fans is to have them blow horizontally across your microgreens, which increases airflow and reduces the risk of mold. Just like your grow lights, keep your circulation fans running continuously until you are ready to harvest your Chinese Mahogany microgreens.
Determining when to harvest your Chinese Mahogany microgreens may take some trial and error. Your microgreens will be ready when the cotyledons have opened, and the first set of true leaves begin to form. The best way to determine when the best time is to harvest your microgreens is to snip a couple of microgreens and taste them. When the flavor has developed, your Chinese Mahogany microgreens have turned green, and they are crisp, they are ready for harvest. Withhold watering for 8 to 12 hours and then harvest your Chinese Mahogany microgreens.
You will need a pair of sharp scissors or a sharp knife to harvest your Chinese Mahogany microgreens. Gently grasp the microgreens in one hand and cut them right above soil level. Place the cut microgreens on a paper towel.
If you will be eating your microgreens immediately, fill a large bowl with cool water. Dunk the microgreens in the water and swirl around to remove any dirt or seed hulls. Then lay your microgreens on a dry paper towel and run them through a salad spinner to remove the excess water.
Microgreens can be stored in the refrigerator for a week to ten days if they are properly stored. If you will be storing your microgreens do not rinse them before refrigeration. Instead, wait until you are ready to eat the Chinese Mahogany microgreens before rinsing your microgreens.
Wrap your freshly harvested Chinese Toona microgreens loosely in a paper towel and place them in an airtight storage box or storage bag. Then, place them in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator. Your microgreens will stay fresh for one to two weeks when they are properly stored.
Chinese Mahogany microgreens, also known as Chinese Toona microgreens, provide an interesting flavor to your microgreen salad. They can be enjoyed on sandwiches, added to soups and stews, used to top pizzas or tacos, or used as a delicious and nutritious garnish for your favorite dishes.
