Sprouting Seed Question

[GB1]

If seeds do not sprout, I would not feed them to my birds. You can soak for couple hours and let it sit. Or you can leave a little bit of water on the bottom and leave it in warm place. It should sprout fast.

[Mark S]

After many experiments I have finally produced chits. This is method that finally worked:
Soak for 24 hours
Rinse after 8 hours, soak again for a few minutes with Virkon-s, drain
Rinse after 8 hours, soak again for a few minutes with Virkon-s, drain
Rinse after 8 hours, soak again for a few minutes with Virkon-s, drain
Rinse after 8 hours, soak again for a few minutes with Virkon-s, drain

in 30-36 hours I start to get chits.

The important thing seems to be keeping the seeds moist which is very difficult for me to do because I work and sleep I think that once I find the proper container it will be more forgiving. A paper towel covered jar tilted toward the opening seems to work best for me now but the seeds are completely dry in 10 hours so I need a better solution.

[wellingtoncdm]

http://store.underwoodgardens.com/Sprou ... ducts/146/

I use these lids.

[wilkifam]

I add GSE to the water

What is GSE?

[debbie276]

GSE = grape seed extract

[Hollow Point]

I just sprouted some seeds for our new zebras. I've been sprouting wheat berries to eat in my cereal so I just applied a similar method.

I soaked the seed overnight. Then in the morning of day 2 drained the water and spread the seed out on a news paper on top of a cookie sheet. I cover the sheet with plastic wrap and put it in the closet (very dark). In the evening I use a spray bottle to soak the seeds and paper again. Repeat again the next morning (by then the seeds have started to sprout). The morning of the 4th day the seeds have sprouted a lot!

I feed them both sprouted finch seed and sprouted wheat berries today and they really gobbled up the wheat berries. Not so much the normal seed.

[ranchnanny]

I just started sprouting seeds with a 3 tiered sprouter given to me by a friend and it works great. I have used millet from millet sprays at the bottom of the box, brown & japanese millet from Nancy in Florida and today tried Tonic Seed from Lady Gouldians..... everything sprouts within 1 - 2 days and the birds are crazy for the stuff.......

[debbie276]

I have used that kind too for many years. I love how the seeds don't sit in the water for a long time and drains out easily.
Best of luck

[finchandlovebird]

Question: I put all my seed in the freezer when I buy it; does freezing the seed prohibit sprouting ????????????

I also use the cover that Charlie uses.

[Ursula]

Question: I put all my seed in the freezer when I buy it; does freezing the seed prohibit sprouting ????????????

I also use the cover that Charlie uses.

I would imagine that it depends on the type of plant the seeds come from. If you think about it, in the wild seeds up north get frozen over winter and then sprout in spring. Seeds from the tropics would probably not survive the frost.

I'd say: try it out.

[debbie276]

Freezing will not prevent seeds from sprouting.

[Chrismurdoch3]

I have never sprouted seed before, and would like to try. When you say to soak the seeds do you submerge them completely in water?

[wellingtoncdm]

Yes, totally submerged.

[debbie276]

Here's a great web page with a very good explanation on soaking/sprouting seeds including the Mike Fidler videos

http://www.gouldiansgalore.com/sprouting.html