Seaweed is a common ingredient in Japanese cooking and is becoming an increasingly common ingredient in mainstream American cuisine. It is easy to grow, inexpensive and quite nutritious----all things which contribute to its status as a viable small-scale farming option. Seaweed grows best only under the right conditions, so a little knowledge can go a long way in increasing the productivity of your seaweed farm.

Water Temperature

Unlike most land plants, seaweed grows best during the cold winter months. This is especially true of tropical varieties of seaweed such as eucheuma. Research your seaweed's natural habitat and try to keep your waterbeds at a temperature that will allow for maximum productivity.

Consistent Environment

Seaweed grows best in environments where water temperature, water depth and salinity levels are relatively stable. If you are growing seaweed in manmade beds, be sure to check your salinity levels daily. If you are growing seaweed in naturally occurring tidal beds, be sure that your seaweed remains covered at low tide, otherwise the plants might dry out. The more control you can maintain over your growing environment the more successful your farm will be.

Remove Unwanted Elements

Large scale seaweed colonies require an environment that is free from predators and from other aquatic plants competing for light and oxygen. If you are growing your seaweed in a naturally occurring tidal area, clean out all starfish, sea urchins and other tide pool animals before growing your seaweed. If you are growing seaweed in manmade beds, watch carefully to be sure that other seaweeds, molds and algae don't begin to grow in the seaweed habitat.

Research

Each variety of the plant is different. Some seaweeds grow best in muddy water while others need sediment-free environments. Research many types of seaweed to see which will be best for your region and capabilities.

Source:

Handbook on Eucheuma Seaweed

Lembongan Seaweed Farming

Establishing a One Hectare Cooperative Seaweed Farm

Resource:

Seaweed Farming: An Alternative Livelihood for Small-Scale Fishers?