sprouting, a how to

[jimpierce7]

my list is this..........

millit
quinoa
buckwheat
wild rice
adzuki beans
mung beans
chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
some of each type of lentil available at the store.


the strainer method works wonderful as well. Some people have used jars with holes drilled in the lid.


the mash is mine!!! lol Well sort of any way. It is a combination of Mike's manna mash, Shauna's mash and couple other folks along the way.
The items I pick out are low in oxolic acid which is a calcium binder. But I love to mix it up for my fids.
Basically what is in it is..........

millet
quinoa
buckwheat
barley
sesame seed
chia seed

sweet potato/garnet yam
kale
dandelion greens
bok choy
papaya

I left the cooked legumes out this time as I am sprouting them.

[pippy]

Originally Posted by chapala

I don't know if the easy sprouter is available in the UK, and I know people like them. But, you can grow sprouts very easily just using a strainer. I soak the grains or legumes overnight (I do them separately since the legumes must sprout to longer tails than the grains - the grains are ready sooner), then in the morning pour them out into a strainer, rinse well, and set the strainer over a cup or small bowl to catch water drips. Just rinse a few times a day until ready. Usually the grains will be ready the following morning as soon as you can see the little white roots just emerging. At that point, let them drain well (not completely dry or dripping wet), then they'll store in a covered container, refrigerated, for several days. The legumes like Jim has shown in his useful photos take about another two days after the soak and rinse.

Thanks, I'll give it a go!

[jimpierce7]

for those that a little more diligent then I am. A good friend showed me a way to sprout with a plate and a paper towel.
All you need is a window sill to keep them on.
Last time I tried it I used a Terracotta plate and it sucked all the moister out.
Basically take a small plate and place a paper towel on it folded so it fits on top. Place "seed" on top and apply just enough water to soak the towel and seed.
This method is to have fresh sprouts daily. So it requires starting a plate every day. If you think it take three days to sprout right, you need three plates going. Four days, four plates. One plate on each day of the process.

Kind of looks like this.

[lilkelley]

This is exactly what I was looking for!! Thanks y'all!!

[Chico's Mom]

That may get my guys to try eating healthier foods!

The method you used, using a strainer over a bowl or cup, did you cover them ?

[jimpierce7]

yes I did. The device I used comes with a lid. It has holes in it so they can breath.
A mason jar with a screen lid can also be used.

[dmiller91]

I still think I need a list of acceptable seeds and beans. I'm completely clueless.

I went to our local bulk section, selected what I thought were a) seeds or b) grains.

I got rot. Some of them sprouted, some moldy.

I have been successful with Totally Organics mix, and I tried to follow the label for seeds, but something I brought home either wasn't fresh or wasn't supposed to sprout :(

[jimpierce7]

Originally Posted by dmiller91

I still think I need a list of acceptable seeds and beans. I'm completely clueless.

I went to our local bulk section, selected what I thought were a) seeds or b) grains.

I got rot. Some of them sprouted, some moldy.

I have been successful with Totally Organics mix, and I tried to follow the label for seeds, but something I brought home either wasn't fresh or wasn't supposed to sprout :(

at the top of the page is the list of what I use. If things have time to rot you are going for way too long. With an apple cider rinse daily there won't be any mold either.
There are several very good pre mix sprouts out there. Sprout People and China Prairie are two good ones. Avian Naturals as well.

Certified Organic Sprouts, Sprout Mix for Parrots, Avian Naturals Preservative free parrot foods.

Birds Love Sprouts


China Prairie Company is Second Nature for parrot food

[chinniechantel]

I finally got it right! Thank you for the help. Phoenix loves them and looks so cute eating them, and Paco likes them, is a bit weary, but he usually takes a few times to warm up to new foods that are not sweet.