Sprouting Sunflower Seeds - Mold??

[tech93]

:confused:Hi, New to the board! I have actually started doing my own sprouting, and enjoying it. I have had a problem with Sunflower seeds. I soak them, rinse them and set them in my trays, and follow the proper sprouting instructions, ie: rinse twice a day. After about a day or so when the seeds start to sprout, I notice some have a white fuzzy lint growing on the outside, which i believe is a mold. I have attempted this twice, with the same result. This white fuzzy stuff growing on the outside of the sunflower seeds just as they start sprouting. I don't understand why this is happening? Has anyone encountered this or have any suggestions, or reasons why this is happening? I would appreciate any help. I have not had any problems with any other seeds.

Thanks

[Veganforlife]

check out:

www.sproutpeople.com

Maybe they are actually aerial roots and not mold...?

[Tirza]

That's what I heard too. I just let mine go ahead and grow and they seemed just fine. They grow fairly tall like wheatgrass, so you can just cut them not so close to the bottom as the stem isn't the thing you are going for anyway, but the green tops.

My main peeve with them is those shells sticking to most of them, some even hindering the progress of the leaves. Pick Pick Pick. I don't want to do that if I can help it. It's not something you can just forget about a few of them and just eat them like smaller sprout shells like mung beans etc. What do you all do about the sunflower shells? Pick Pick Pick? I guess I'll have to resign myself that it is likely the only way.

[spicyfull]

I've Never had Mold form on Sprouting Sunflower Seeds. Tizra, I use the Seeds without the Shells, yes the Naked RAW Seeds will Sprout without the Mess. But what you did is called Growing Sunflower Greens, you let it Grow a few inches and cut the Green and add to Salads etc. When Sprouting you don't let it Grow that much.

[Tirza]

Yes, you are right, spicyfull. I have done it both ways. I have even grown the greens from shelled seeds, although there is waste since some of them are split in half and of course don't sprout. All the advice about growing the greens is to use the unhulled seeds, but I thought I'd try it with the hulled ones. They didn't do too badly, actually.

I have a bowl of sprouted sf seeds in the fridge right now from shelled seeds and the sprouts are just a little longer than the length of the seeds.

[islesgirl]

I've Never had Mold form on Sprouting Sunflower Seeds. Tizra, I use the Seeds without the Shells, yes the Naked RAW Seeds will Sprout without the Mess. But what you did is called Growing Sunflower Greens, you let it Grow a few inches and cut the Green and add to Salads etc. When Sprouting you don't let it Grow that much.

Hi spicyfull. I am sprouting sunflower seeds for the first time. I soaked them overnight, and they have been sprouting for 2 days and a night now. I kept them in the dark and rinsed them 3 times a day and kept the jar at an angle so as to drain properly. But I have read different instructions as to how long to "sprout" them. Their tails are about 1/2 " long now. Does this mean I should get them pretty dry and store them in the fridge until I eat them tomorrow or the next day? Or should I continue to "sprout" them beside the kitchen sink while continuing to rinse them periodically throughout the day? Thanks for your advice. I am excited like a little kid doing this. I love this raw adventure.:D

Sue.