help on sprouts going bad

[Ryan]

im using this mixture, its actually for my parrots and not me. i have tried sprouting for the last 3 months and only had 3 successful batches which is such a let down the others have gone slimey and sour smelling and been thrown out.

the sprouter im using is this one http://www.simply-natural.biz/Easy-Sprout-Sprouter.php which is picture at the top and the sprouting mixture i am using is this one here http://www.24parrot.com/Tidymix-Pulse-and-Rice-Soaking-Mix--2Kg-P5977/

my first time sprouting with it i cant remember what i did but it turned out perfect and the other times have really been hit and miss. the process i go through is i will rinse the seed thoroughly and then pour boiling or warm water into the sprouter and then leave to soak for a hour change the water leave to soak for a hour again and change the water again, then leave for 6-10 hours ( i have tried various soaking times from 8-12 hours) , the reason for changing the water is because it goes a murky brown colour.

then more than usual after i have let them soak for 8-12 hours and drained thoroughly the next day they will be slimy and smelly, im just looking into why they are going like this ? could it be the fact im not rinsing enough, too wet or dry, too cold or warm i really dont know. once drained though i do not rinse could this be the reason?, i have though that them being left damp could be cause,should i be rinsing even after drained and left to sprout or just leave them. the sprouter was advertised as a no rinse sprouter.


please help thanks very much just tried to give all the info i could :o

[streetsurfer]

edit: I see on the tidymix site that they recommend rinses of boiling water at some point because some of the beans are not best for the bird raw. I was not aware of that before posting the following paragraphs. In a Qand A section it also listed another sprout mix that does not require hot water. This is that quoted: "There is also a product available called Nature's Harvest Soak Mix. This is to be soaked in cold water overnight then rinsed."

If you are going for sprouts with tails would it work to first sprout and then rinse or soak in hot water. Or else feed them to the bird right after the initial soak if using heat.

I'd be inclined to use safe raw sprouts and follow these general tips for sprouting; Use room temperature or cooler water for the soaks. If you used boling of hot water that would be the cause of tissue damage and spoilage.

The chemical process in the sprouting seeds or beans will create it's own small amount of heat, so cool rinses with short soaks help lower their temperature and reduce spoilage. Citric acid can be added to help clean up lightly discolored sprouts and reduce further spoilage. That and ascorbic acid both work for this, and are safe for consumption. I'd make sure it is safe for the bird also. Larger seeds and beans usually benefit from longer initial soaks, and more frequent rinses (larger beans, more heat, more potential for spoilage). Keep the sprouter in an area between 68-75 degrees and you should be good.

Merry Christmas.

[Ryan]

i have also checked out the other one you mentioned and this is definetly the preferred one i just need to get the knack of getting them right. i am trying to get them to sprout with actual tips on them.

so what your saying is dont use boiling water just warm water on the initial soak and then on rinses inbetween ( or changing the soaking water ) use cold water and also cold water for any other rinses. how long would you reccomend soaking this mixture for ? and once they are no longer soaking and are ready or in the process of sprouting should i rinse them every so often until they have sprouted then store them? and when they are in the process of sprouting if they are still wet or damp is this a good or bad thing, sorry im all questions really appreciate the help though im a bit hopeless with this sprouting although i do like the mung beans :D

merry christmas too !

[scyn]

That mix has green and yellow split peas in it, which most definitely won't sprout. They're quite possibly what's causing the batch to go bad - all the living seeds start to grow, but these dead seeds cannot and so they just rot and begin to stink.

I'm not sure about the nutritional needs of a parrot, but a mix without the split peas, beans (Blackeye & Haricot), whole corn and rice would be the easiest to sprout. All of these things have caused batches of my own edible sprouts to go bad, and they require a bit more attention than the other seeds.

[Ryan]

okay well i will try all of the above on two different batches see if it works to be sure, if not i will seek out another brand to sprout for my birds, it is labled as a boiling and sprouting mix maybe it works alot better as boiling, like i said if not i will find another brand mixture to use. thanks for your help i will let you know how i get on and if i do seek another brand mixture i will run it past this forum first, very helpful so far