questions about sprouting

[Owlet]

I've been inspired to take a step into sprouting and have a go at it. I ordered a seed mix from TOPs and they got here yesterday. Few questions though

1. When do I feed them? Like how long do I let them sprout for? I saw someone say that "short tails are better" how true is that?

2. What would suffice as a natural vinegar? Packaging says to rinse them with a natural vinegar before feeding.

 

[Flboy]

Hi, Apple cider vinegar is great! I serve them with short tails, but my JoJo likes them any which way! Be very sensitive to any ‘old socks’ odor! That can kill both of you, to eat spoiled sprouts!

 

[Owlet]

are there any alternatives to Apple cider vinegar encase I can't find it?

 

[chris-md]

Grape seed extract is also used. But I use none of these.

For time, I soak for 12 hours, then rinse twice a day (morning and night) for 3 nights. So anything I do on Monday will be ready Thursday

To store them, I actually set the oven to “warm” (lowest possible setting) and leave the spouts in there in a serving dish for an hour or two to dry them out a bit I occasionally leave the oven door cracked so that it doesn’t get too warm and cook the sprouts (cooked meat has to only get to 165f so it’s a lower temp than you think.)

 

[Owlet]

So, I've tried two sprouting methods now. And both have left me with little to no results.

I tried the method Chris mentioned and we are on day 3 and little to no growth
I tried a method of co-worker mentioned and we had a bit of growth but then they started to smell sour so I tossed them.

I don't know what I'm doing wrong

 

[itzjbean]

When I first got into sprouting I followed this page, from our very own Silversage !

Sprouting for your Parrot

I use Volkmann's cockatiel sunflower seed less mix. I use about 1/3 to 1/2 cup of seeds in a bowl, really any kind. I put seeds in the bowl and fill with water, not too cold. I let it sit overnight. Get up and rinse the seeds in the morning with a fine strainer, rinse them good then put them back in the bowl to sit for a few hours. Then over lunch I rinse them again, put back in bowl to sit, then rinse again over dinner, then let sit. I do this for 3 days and they always have pretty good tails by then. I let them soak in a mixture of water and apple cider vinegar for 30 minutes then give a good rinse, paper towel dry the seeds and they are good to serve! I keep them in the bowl covered in the fridge and rinse always before serving them. I only keep them for 2-3 days in fridge.

 

[chris-md]

So no growth?

What are you sprouting, where are you getting it, and what procedure are you following?

 

[Owlet]

I got a mix from TOPs, this one: https://topsparrotfood.com/collections/all-in-one-seed-mix/products/tops-all-in-one-seed-mix

I put them in a mason jar with cheese cloth (I think that's what it's called...?) in place of the metal disk thing that mason jars have so they could still breath.

Method 1: this one is what my coworker suggested and she said to just put a little bit of seed in and rinse the seeds every morning and night with water and drain it. And to not put it in direct sunlight

And then I tried what you said Chris. The packaging also says to let it soak for 12 hours and that's it but again, nothing happened.

 

[chris-md]

Just rinsing will do absolutely nothing. They need to be soaked first with cool water. That activates the gibberellin hormone that breaks down the endosperm into the good nutrients (former plant science graduate here ).

Get a plastic mesh top off amazon - no steel. It will make your life easier. Cheesecloth also can make it a bit difficult.

Are you rinsing multiple times per day for 3 days? Are you storing the jar upside down, facing down, hopefully slanted to allow for air circulation?

 

[chris-md]

Also I’m not surprised to see no results - you have a number of things there that won’t sprout. Anything hulled won’t sprout (hulled millet, hulled barely). I’ve never had success with pumpkin seeds either.

Spelt is great and should work.

It comes down to you bought the wrong product. This is a soak and serve mix, not a sprouting mix. Soaking adds nutrients but it’s not FULY sprouted.

Go to the grocery story and buy some 1) lentils, 2) spelt, 3) chickpeas ms 4) quinoa (not boxed/processed), and if you have an organic market you can get stuff like wheat berries. Use this as a starting mix for yourself - I buy all my stuff from grocery stores.

If you have chia/flaxseed you can sprout these too. But don’t mix them into your soaking routine because of the mucus they exude. They are completely done in 4 hours and ready to serve.

 

[Owlet]

funny because I'm having the most results with the pumpkin seeds xD thank you for the help I'll look into getting the appropriate materials.

can you show me pictures on how I'm suppose to store it as I'm a little confused

 

[chris-md]

I’m not in a position to post photos right now. If you search sprouting stand on amazon, you’ll see exactly what I mean.

 

[Owlet]

How am I suppose to sprout chia/flax if I cant mix them into the other seeds?

 

[chris-md]

Just put some in a small container with water. Let them sit in water for 4 hours and your done

 

[Owlet]

oh really? alright. I got everything by spelt (forgot it oops) but I need to order the sprouting stuff (I was hoping I could find it instore but alas I could not).
I also have spray millet for Apollo, can I use that? Anything special about it? What about saffflower seeds?

 

[chris-md]

Yes and he’s to both I think I’ve seen someone sprout a mullet spray before so all the sprouts were still on the twig.

 

[Owlet]

also I thought you mentioned wheat berries so I got some of those now I don't see that post unless I'm just blind xD (sorry I've had a really busy week and I'm going brain dead xD) are those okay or should I find a different use for them. maybe i read about them somewhere else... they don't entirely look like something that would sprout.

 

[chris-md]

Yep wheat berries will sprout

 

[bill_e]

Texas Natural Freeze Dried sells sprouts. I haven't tried them but I do use other products and 100% recommend them.

 

[Owlet]

Just put some in a small container with water. Let them sit in water for 4 hours and your done

So the flax and chia have been soaking for almost 4 hours now. Not much as happened... the chia has a coat of mucus around it and maybe the flax does but its under the chia so harder to tell. No sprouting though. Should I leave them longer is it suppose to be like this?