I keep ruining my Sprouts! help please~

[NoGMO!]

I have been successful with the 1-2 day sprouting attemps (buckwheat, rye, almond, sesame, etc.)... :)

- but the taller sprouts that take 5+ days have not been successful yet! even after several attempts - what am I doing wrong?

they never turn very green at all, and they even begin to mold on, I think, day 4 or 5. I do change the water twice per day, as recommended. hmmmm... very disappointing so far.

I'm a little frustrated, because I had hoped to incorporate sprouts into my daily regime. I ordered several types of seeds to sprout- like broccoli, mustard, cress, cabbage, arugula, clover, dill, radish and fenugreek.

if anyone sprouts these seeds with success- could you tell me how many days before you harvest them? I know it's up to the individual- but what works for you?

and, do you think I need to put my sprouter by a sunny window in the final day or two of sprouting?

if anyone uses the Freshlife 2000 sprouter, do you remove the lid on the last day for greening?

I can always call the seed or sprouter company.. but I thought someone here may know more details.

thanks/ :)

[exurb]

noGMO I have found I get the best results NOT from a sprouter, but from canning jars using a plastic screen lid under the rings that come with the can. You get a way better rinse, a more effective dry, etc., than any sprouter I've used. I have no problems with mold at all. I just rinse the sprouts a few times a day, swirling or shaking well with the water, then put upside down on a 45 to let them drain.

I've sprouted ALL the ones you've listed that way with no problems at all. I can green them up in the jars no problem too.

No frustrations!

I know some people are happy with their sprouters, I'm happier without one, I also don't think we need a gadget for everything.

[NoGMO!]

thanks exurb,
I would get the jars w/ lids but I am not going to be able to make anymore purchases at all for quite a while- so the auto sprouter will have to suffice.

does anyone use the Freshlife- that could help me with the above mentioned -

thanks again! :)

[exurb]

would get the jars w/ lids but I am not going to be able to make anymore purchases at all for quite a while- so the auto sprouter will have to suffice

If it helps, you don't have to purchase anything. You can set up a free jar sprouter by getting any old jar, an elastic band, and something to put over the top. Some people use cheesecloth if they have it, old pantyhose, etc.

Sounds like you want to use the sprouter though, if no one here can help you, have you tried contacting the manufacturer or company that sold it to you and asking if they can help you resolve your problems.

I still prefer the jars to the sprouters, because you can give them a good shaking when you're rinsing, then they drain off well, and I've found no problems with mold at all.

[sport]

I think that the pre made plastic sprouters do not drain well enough. I now use a mesh strainer with mesh covering secured by rubber band and find it far better. It is so easy to rinse and drains perfectly.

[NoGMO!]

thanks Exurb and Sport, those are both great ideas. hmmm... :)

[rawpriestess]

Well, I use an auto sprouter, and there are three things one needs to know.

1. the water must be pure, what I mean by this, is it must not sit for too long.

so soak your seeds and rinse, rinse, rinse, rinse, rinse every 4 to 6 hours.

Then when you sprout, rinse, rinse, rinse, rinse, rinse, every 4 to 6 hours.

I'm not kidding THIS alone will really help.

2. NO sun light until they actually sprout

3. Sun light when you wan them to turn green.

You need to pretend and imagine that you are mother Nature, so when they are in the water as seeds, they need the dark, and cool moist fertile energy, when they start to sprout, this is when they would nautrally receive sun light.

I also find it helpful to place them in a NOT warm place, like on my kitchen counter by a window, so it gets naturally warmer during the day, and cooler at night, I make sure they are not near a fan, or heater of any kind. UNLESS, I am really keeping a good eye on them, and want them to sprout quickly, in which case, I rinse, rinse, rinse, rinse, every other hour or so.

You see, you are growing bacteria and spores and all the goodies in the water too, so you MUST keep it fresh if you DON"t want mold and slime.

You might try this.

When sprouts fail it is ALWAYS not enough rinsing. (well in my experience)

[NoGMO!]

thanks RP,
I think you are exactly right. I only change the water every twelve to fifteen hours! (as in twice per day) I didn't know so much changing of the water would make that big of a difference. Great this really helps - Plus my sprouter is directly underneath a heater vent in the kitchen. I will move it elsewhere.

this was much needed info!