Broccoli sprouting - difficult! Help!

[DrJennifer]

Hello! Thank you for your time! I have tried many times to sprout broccoli, to no avail - I keep getting a moldy (fuzzy) look to it. Any tips?:confused:

[michigan roman]

check out www.sproutpeople.com ..

and if using jar method ide try paint filter bags , sold at home depot / lowes / paint and hardware stores , because the jar method doesnt allow air circulation which is a big cause of molding

and theres things like vitamin c tabs or grape seed extract , kinda reaching here because cant clearly recall it right now , that people add to the soaking / rinsing water to prevent mold .

[curlygirl82]

michigan - can you explain how to use the paint filter bags? I haven't heard this before. Thanks!

[souldanzer]

If you rinse and drain them well with the appropriate air circulation I doubt that what you are seeing is mold - sprouts will grow so called "root hairs" on the lower portion of the root and they can resemble mold to a beginner's eye.

Souldanzer:)

[rawstrength]

Broccoli sprouts are really hard to do right, because they are muciloginous seeds, which means that they develop a layer of slimy stuff around them to help them retain water. It's a great survival tactic for growing in soil, but doesn't help much for growing in air.

[michigan roman]

michigan - can you explain how to use the paint filter bags? I haven't heard this before. Thanks!


you just put seeds in the bags and do initial soak , then hang bags up on a rack / hook or whatever . then when need rinsing just place bag into water then rehang bag . this method always keeps air around the seeds / sprouts as opposed to being closed up in a jar with zero air flow .

and though this method is better than a jar in my experience i like using colanders because in the colanders you can keep the seeds spread apart til theyre sprouting , where as in a paint filter bag the seeds stay clumped together (unless you were to some how suspend the bag in air horizontally and spread seeds apart ) and while better than a jar in my experience the clumped together seeds shall still form mold quicker than non clumped together seeds such as i can easily attain in my big colanders . i'll try posting a colander pic below .

[curlygirl82]

Michigan - I've wanted to use the collander method, but the holes seem too small to start small seeds out in there. Have you used this method for smaller seeds, like alfalfa, red cover, etc? If so, do you line the collander with paper towels or something? Thanks!

[DebB]

I just sprouted broccoli seeds this week for the first time. I used 1 teaspoon in a Mason jar and used the plastic sprouting lids that I bought, set of 3, each lid's holes get a bit bigger.

These took longer than the alfalfa / salad mix I usually sprout, but they did sprout just fine. I soaked them overnight in filtered water, then in the jar I rinsed them twice a day. I keep the Mason jar in a bowl, cocked at a 45° or so angle. Knock on wood, I haven't had any problem yet with molding.

I do want to try the colander method though thanks to michigan roman's posts about it. I do have the same questions curlygirl82 has about the little seeds too... *Ü*

[michigan roman]

after searching the dollar stores for years i found some big colanders with small holes that work with small seeds .

but if you cant find them ide buy some fine nylon mesh at fabric store and cut it to fit over your colander with a peice of elastic band sewn around its perimeter so it holds tight to the outside of colander . the fine mesh keeps the air flowing , while the big colander allows you to keep the seeds spread apart .

[curlygirl82]

Thanks, michigan! -- Do you cover the collandar, too? Or just leave it out in the open?
I've neglected to mention, by the way, how beautiful your sprouts are. Just lovely.

[michigan roman]

Thanks, michigan! -- Do you cover the collandar, too? Or just leave it out in the open?
I've neglected to mention, by the way, how beautiful your sprouts are. Just lovely.

i leave it open , the more air circulation the better imo .

that was a nice batch of mung sprouts in that photo ,
their vigor makes one realize why theyre such a long time sprouting fave .

[curlygirl82]

awesome. i look forward to trying it this way. thanks!

[DebB]

Thank you michigan roman for the collander sprouting tips! Last week I moved some of my more mature sprouts into a collander after reading a post and saw pictures by you - the sprouts did so well. *Ü*

[NoGMO!]

broc sprouts do get alot of root hairs that look kind of like mold. I've found them to be easy to grow though. I've been using these sprouters http://www.sproutpeople.com/devices/ez/easysprout.html
I picked up several so I always have small containers of sprouts ready. good luck with your sprouts.