Sprouting Seeds - Why Didn't I Try This Sooner !

Violet_Diva

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Aug 30, 2016
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Norfolk (England)
Parrots
Bella (Vosmaeri Eclectus Female) + Dexter (Red Sided Eclectus Male) + Gerry (Vosmaeri Eclectus Male)
I'm ashamed to say I've only just tried sprouting seeds for my Bella and I very much regret not having done this sooner!

They are super easy. I don't know what I was worrying about!
I just soaked them overnight for the first stage, and then rinsed them 3 times a day in a glass bowl and then after each rinse, I left them to stand in the strainer over the bowl. 3 days, done, EASY!
Note: I did use a bit of apple cider vinegar in one of the rinses.

Going forward, I'm going to have staggered batches so that there's fresh sprouts available every day!

I used 'BuyWholeFoodsOnline' Organic Sprouting Mix

Ratios of ingridients:
Aduki Beans 15%
Mung Beans 15%
Green Lentils 15%
Chick Peas 20%
Brown Lentils 15%
Amica Lentils 5%
Sunflower Seeds 15%

I was wondering...

What do you guys use for your sprouting mix?

How long do you allow your sprouted seed shoots to grow?

Do any of you freeze your sprouted seeds? Do they keep ok?

Please let me know! Thanks

By the way Bella loves them :)
 
Hey well done! You're doing great with the organic seeds etc. They provide fantastic nutrition for birds, great that Bella loves them, even my fussy pants likes them too.

The sprouts only need tails but if you like can leave a little longer.

I have radish and quinoa seeds also but what you have is great. TBH the beans and lentils go best I have found.

BTW I find using Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE) beneficial in producing better sprouts as when it hasn't been used they don't pass the sniff test and end up in the bin. I have managed to obtain this in the UK.

Don't forget that they will keep fresh in the fridge in a sealed clean container. I always still rinse and sniff before serving.

I have found Leslie Moran interesting reading if you'd like to Google?
Some reading for starters https://sproutpeople.org/seeds/broccoli-sprouts/
http://www.skysprouts.co.uk/index.php?route=product/category&path=38
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=s...r0V5i0NsrO8gfw8IAI#q=growing+sprouts+in+a+jar
 
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@ Flboy: The OP is in the UK and not everything is available to us. I did find the Napoleons on Amazon.co.uk but out of stock.

Sorry a bit confused - you sprout then dry them? Does this reduce the nutritional content at all do you know?
 
@ Flboy: The OP is in the UK and not everything is available to us. I did find the Napoleons on Amazon.co.uk but out of stock.

Sorry a bit confused - you sprout then dry them? Does this reduce the nutritional content at all do you know?
That pond between us can cause problems!
Remember, you can try sprouting any high quality seed mix.

I don't deliberately dry them, they just dry in the serving dish, at the play station on my counter. From what I have tried to find out, I believe there is little loss of nutritional value. Remember, I just barely sprout mine, only tiny tails!
I don't have to worry about spoilage this way.
If the drying is determined to be counterproductive, I am open to change!

The wife's Bongo won't touch them till they dry out!
 
@ Flboy Yes it is an expensive pond! Agree high quality and/or Organic seed is best.

Well that is funny because when they seem to dry out I bin them LOL, as think they have past their best? Was thinking you had a drying machine that has been talked about on here?

My fussy pants seems to prefer fresh also.

Funny re Bongo! My take is if they are drying out they are in fact spoiling and better to feed your birds fresh for optimal nutritional benefit.

* Unless you live with high humidity it is still necessary to rinse whilst being stored each day with GSE and the growing jars upturned in a plastic tub in the fridge work great.
 
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I have only a small amount sprouted, spread out in dish, so they dry in a couple hours. Air conditioning is on 11 months out of the year here. I would never risk spoilage!
 
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Hey well done! You're doing great with the organic seeds etc. They provide fantastic nutrition for birds, great that Bella loves them, even my fussy pants likes them too.

The sprouts only need tails but if you like can leave a little longer.

I have radish and quinoa seeds also but what you have is great. TBH the beans and lentils go best I have found.

BTW I find using Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE) beneficial in producing better sprouts as when it hasn't been used they don't pass the sniff test and end up in the bin. I have managed to obtain this in the UK.

Don't forget that they will keep fresh in the fridge in a sealed clean container. I always still rinse and sniff before serving.

I have found Leslie Moran interesting reading if you'd like to Google?
Some reading for starters https://sproutpeople.org/seeds/broccoli-sprouts/
Quality Organic Seeds for Sprouting Best Price in the UK
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=s...r0V5i0NsrO8gfw8IAI#q=growing+sprouts+in+a+jar
Thank-you very much for the links, I will have a good look at those later on. I think I'll try some Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE) too if I can find some. It looks like a nice alternative and possibly a refreshing change to apple cider vinegar. Im using apple cider vinegar for so many things - the smell is starting to drive me a tad crazy!
 
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I use TOPS and ABBA Soak
Napoleon's Seed mix | TOP's Parrot Food

SOAK

Also the all in one mix. I store the unsprouted seeds in the freezer. I only sprout them a day or two and I keep a dish out of dried sprouted seeds.
Thanks for the link, I'm planning to have a browse later on tonight. I didn't even think about freezing the unsprouted seeds - I thought it would kill them! :D
 
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So am I right in thinking that the moment that a little pointy bit has emerged from the seed it is then declared as sprouted and the nutritional value has changed? I wasn't sure if I'd been too keen and used them too early.

Also, what kind of quantities do you feed and how frequently?

Is it true that I should class them as counting as 'vegetables' once sprouted?

Would it be mad of me to put some in all of the meals I prepare for Bella?
 
I found the info on the website of the aviary who bred my new galah very helpful since it's referencing not only just how to grow sprouts but explaining specifically in regards to growing them for birds:

Brightwood Aviary, Sprouting Seeds and Grains for Parrots

She feeds 3/4 cups per pair in addition to their pelleted diet daily, so a little less than 1/2 per bird.
 
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I found the info on the website of the aviary who bred my new galah very helpful since it's referencing not only just how to grow sprouts but explaining specifically in regards to growing them for birds:

Brightwood Aviary, Sprouting Seeds and Grains for Parrots

She feeds 3/4 cups per pair in addition to their pelleted diet daily, so a little less than 1/2 per bird.
Thanks for the link Puck, that seems like alot of sprouts!
 
As with anything you feed very regularly there is a boredom factor. Several times a week would keep interest as well as swapping round what is sprouted. I consider sprouts top of the list in terms of nutrition so if they became 'oh no that again' and thus wasted, would be a real disappointment. You know/ are getting to know Bella go with your gut on what she will like. If it is everyday or several times a week give the lady what she wants LOL.
 
Hey well done! You're doing great with the organic seeds etc. They provide fantastic nutrition for birds, great that Bella loves them, even my fussy pants likes them too.

The sprouts only need tails but if you like can leave a little longer.

I have radish and quinoa seeds also but what you have is great. TBH the beans and lentils go best I have found.

BTW I find using Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE) beneficial in producing better sprouts as when it hasn't been used they don't pass the sniff test and end up in the bin. I have managed to obtain this in the UK.

Don't forget that they will keep fresh in the fridge in a sealed clean container. I always still rinse and sniff before serving.

I have found Leslie Moran interesting reading if you'd like to Google?
Some reading for starters https://sproutpeople.org/seeds/broccoli-sprouts/
Quality Organic Seeds for Sprouting Best Price in the UK
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=s...r0V5i0NsrO8gfw8IAI#q=growing+sprouts+in+a+jar
Thank-you very much for the links, I will have a good look at those later on. I think I'll try some Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE) too if I can find some. It looks like a nice alternative and possibly a refreshing change to apple cider vinegar. Im using apple cider vinegar for so many things - the smell is starting to drive me a tad crazy!


Hi, GSE also goes by the name Citricidal https://www.highernature.co.uk/Prod...gclid=CL2o8bvVxc8CFdXNGwodSAsL7w#.V_X-2CQX9_k link for example. In different packaging but think this is the one I have. :)
 

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