Barley is a stress-tolerant crop and following these general guidelines should let you produce an excellent set of OWB plants.

Containers: In general, the larger the pot, the larger the plant. You will obtain a good grow-out with 10 cm (4-inch) square pots, but 3.8 liter (1 gallon = 6.5-inches (width) x 7-inches (depth)) pots will give you optimum plant development. We find that two greenhouse benches at 5 meters x 1.5 meters (16 feet x 5 feet) are required for a grow-out using larger pots and that one bench of this size suffices for a grow-out using the smaller pots.

Soil: Use a standard potting mix. Barley is less tolerant of acid than alkaline soil conditions, so if you have reason to believe your soil is acid, have it tested and adjust the pH to 7.0 with lime.

Fertility: Fertilize once per week with a dilute solution of liquid fertilizer, such as Peters (20-20-20), or incorporate a time-release fertilizer, such as Osmocote (14-14-14) when you prepare the soil.

Watering: Barley is less tolerant of overwatering than underwatering. Treat your OWBs like houseplants, watering when the surface of the soil is moist but not dry to the touch. It is better to water infrequently but generously (until water flows through drain holes at the bottom of the pot) than to water lightly at frequent intervals.

Seeding: Prepare your containers with planting medium and then sow 3 seed per pot at a depth of approximately 2.5 centimeters (one inch). Lightly compact the soil over the seeds and water generously. Seedling should emerge within one week.

Propagation conditions: Our greenhouses are kept at approximately 18 degrees Centigrade (approx. 65 degrees Fahrenheit). We use high intensity halogen lights providing supplemental illumination for 16 hours per day. Fluorescent lights will work, but they should be numerous and no further than 1.5 m (5 feet) from the canopy surface. Sufficient light quantity and quality are essential. Natural light would be adequate for spring, summer, or fall culture in a climate with reasonable numbers of cloud-free days. In western Oregon, supplemental lighting is essential from October through May.

Culture: The OWBs will show a stunning array of plant growth and development patterns. Under our greenhouse conditions, the first plants will head within 30 days of planting and the last will head at about 90 days. Plant height at heading can range from 40 to 120 centimeters (16 to 48 inches). Taller plants may require supplemental support. We use bamboo stakes and wire ties.

Pots, soil, fertilizer, stakes, and ties are available at nurseries and garden supply stores. If you have difficulty in obtaining these supplies, let us know. We can send you additional details and even a starter kit.