harvesting barley ?'s

[wingnut]

I grew some purple tibetan hulless barley this year, and am not quite sure when it is ready to harvest. Any suggestions welcome.

[Worth1]

I was going to say something on the other thread but I see you have posted here so in my belief a picture is worth a thousand words.

As it shows it should be totally dried out and golden.

Worth

[wingnut]

Completely golden and dried. OK

[Barbee]

OK this is old school (showing my age) but take a piece between your teeth and bite down. If you can crack it, it's ready but if it is still soft, it's not ready yet.

[wingnut]

My situation is...it's raining and some heads/plants are completely dry others are just close. Do I cut everything and dry it inside, or wait and hope it does not mold.

[Worth1]

Originally Posted by wingnut

My situation is...it's raining and some heads/plants are completely dry others are just close. Do I cut everything and dry it inside, or wait and hope it does not mold.

That stuff really needs to fry out how ever you do it \.
You dont want it to mold and if it does you dont want to eat it, not even a little bit.
Ergot mold grows on wheat and is what they derived the first LSD from back in the 40's.
It will kill cows.

Worth

[wingnut]

I have very little ergot infection, I'm worried about trichoderma, sooty black, and other such molds. grains infected with ergot are very easy to spot. This is just a crop for next years seed.

Originally Posted by Worth1

That stuff really needs to fry out how ever you do it \.
You dont want it to mold and if it does you dont want to eat it, not even a little bit.
Ergot mold grows on wheat and is what they derived the first LSD from back in the 40's.
It will kill cows.

Worth

[Barbee]

Hmm, well I wonder why you couldn't harvest it and dry it inside. Set up some screens with fans blowing on top and bottom and stir it a few times a day. Should dry pretty nice I'd think.