Calling all Expert Sprouters, please help!

[EastCoastie]

OK I've used the banana and searched but did not find the details I was looking for so here I am...

This is my third attempt to sprout mung beans and it appears that once again it is not going well. The mung beans get slimy even though I rinse them at least twice daily (although it is quite humid here in Virginia where I live) and they don't seem to grow very long. Unfortunately the last time I went to the store they didn't have any mung beans, neither did the other three stores I went to so I am really hoping that I can get this worked out.

Thanks in advance.

EC

[ryana]

i am by no means an expert in the sprout department but what method are you using?

[rawpriestess]

I have three trays of mung beans in the sprouter as we speak, they always sprout almost immediately and grow long long tails.


So could you explain step by step what you are doing, so we can see if there is a challenge somewhere?

this is how I do it.

I have a three tray sprouter, you put water in the top and it dribbles down to the other trays then catches in the bottom, and you just pour that bottom one out.

I pour about 16 ounces of water into it about 4 or 5 times a day, and I have it on the counter, not in direct sunlight, and not in the dark, just on the counter.

It is warm here now, in the upper 60's to lower 70's so it's not real hot or cold, and I have no heat in my home, it seems they like it a bit warm, so they are growing like crazy right now.

I do rinse them alot more than you do, and I think that is the real SECRET to good sprouts myself.

So, I'd try rinsing them more often than just 2 times a day.

[EastCoastie]

1) They don't seem to grow very long. Is that what happens when you sprout them at home. The ones I buy at the store are a good 3" long or so.

2) They get brown spots on them. This time I have only rinsed them 2-3 times daily, but previously I've rinsed them every 4-6 hours and they still do this...

This time I am just attempting to grow them in a metal strainer. My previous attempt was based on Ann Wigmore's method using a weight, keeping them covered to keep light out, etc.

This is frustrating to me because I've had good success with everything else I've tried to sprout: alfalfa, lentils, garbanzo's, and even wheat grass.

Thanks again.

EC

[mattsonfamily]

There is definately an art to growing long beans. I usually force them with pressure. There are some great instructions at www.sproutpeople.com.
When you look up mung beans, it will give you the sprouting directions for long beautiful sprouts.

Mindi

[EastCoastie]

Mindi,

Many thanks! I just copied the instructions from the page...Tomorrow I will try again now that I know there is hope :)

Blessings,

EC

[mattsonfamily]

Your welcome. That website is a great source for references.

Mindi