Sprouting Help

[Elouet]

Hey all. I've tried a couple different seeds and nuts and have been mildly successful (just a few sprouts, don't think I left them long enough). I'm using a glass char on my windowsill. Here's the problem, all the seeds have smelled mildly (of mold?) and I'm sure I must be doing something wrong. Any ideas? Thanks

[Arky]

Are you draining them thoroughly?


J.

[PixieGreen]

Drain thoroughly and rinse more often. Sprouting seeds don't like light until the last few days, so if your windowsill gets the sun you may want to move them to a counter. Hope this helps!

Christa

[organic alaskan]

When I sprout, I let the seeds/nuts/grains soak overnight, or for the appropriate time, then rinse them well and put the jar at an angle in a large bowl, cover with a dark dishtowel and set in a cool, dark place, rinsing twice a day. I have had great success and most sprouts are ready in a couple of days. Also, where are you getting your seeds/nuts? I reccommend buying them from a place that provides seeds specifically for sprouting. A great site with all organic seeds and free shipping with orders over $30 is:

www.sprouting.com/usastore/enter.html

Good luck!

[VeggieMel]

I echo what the others have said, and I'll add that when the jar is at a 45 degree angle, make sure that the seeds are not entirely blocking the cheese cloth or steel mesh. They need the air flow while sprouting. If this is impossible, you may be putting too many seeds in the jar.

[misslinda]

Elouet (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Moi aussi....I am having the same problem. I've been practicing and recently sprouted adzuki beans but forgot to rinse one day and now they are dry and gone bad. :)

[RawTruth]

I have to admit that I was a sprouting wimp. For years I had jars with mesh screw on caps. But, I guess that seemed like too much trouble to me, because I never sprouted until I read how Alissa does it. Now, it's so simple and easy and I've never had even one batch turn out badly.

I don't use jars; I use bowls or glass loaf pans (if I'm not sprouting a lot). After soaking, I just rinse by dumping the nuts/seeds into a colander or drainer, running water over it, draining it a minute, then dumping back into the bowl. It's so very easy, and, as I mentioned, every batch has been successful.

You might want to give it a try.

[CAdreamer]

I tried to post a couple of pics of how I grow sprouts, but couldn't. I actually just got my pic posted with all of the other photos of everyone, but couldn't get it posted here on the forum for my reply.

Here's what I do for sprouting...I sprout micro seeds in any metal tray with holes (thrift stores are good for finding these), and use two layers of thin batting (fabric store). This keeps it moist and the seeds sprout easily...no mold, no jars, no bowls. The sprouts grow up like grass and I just clip them off at the bottom. It's a very tidy way of growing, and they don't get all messed up...more like you would find in a container in the store. I use vermiculite for barley and wheat grass....cheap, easy, good growing medium.

[swiddweas]

I soak my nuts and seeds and grains overnight in water. Then next morning I rinse them wth lots of water. Then I place each variety (if I am sprouting more then one kind) in a gallon zip lock bag. I then poke holes in the bag so the air can get to them. Usually a fork works great for this. Place a dish towel on the bottom of a shallow baking pan or plate and then just set the unzipped bag (yes, leave the top open) in the pan or plate. Now, place this in a dark place for the day. The next morning, rinse them and drain them right in the bag, then just keep this up until the sprouts have reached the size you desire. The longer the sprouts sit, the lest potent they are. This method works great and the food sprouts faster for some reason.

You can also place the food in a colander and rinse, drain, and cover to sprout after soaking them overnight, of course. This is alot easier then the above idea. I developed the above idea because I had only one colander and five different foods to sprout at the same time.

Swid