Sprouting seed
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Sprouting seed
Can anybody please explain to me in plain English how I get sprouted seed, as when I soak it for 24 hours and then place it in a light room on damp kitchen towel is seem to go mildew.
Many Thanks
Many Thanks
Re: Sprouting seed
Hello, I add grapefruit seed extract (GSE) to the soaking water after the seed has been rinsed well and this prevents the seed from going bad. The seed should smell clean and nutty not sour or spoiled. I buy plain bulk parakeet seed and soak that. Some of the other finch or canary seed has a lot added it like colored oats, minerals or pellets. Hope that helps.
Charlie
Charlie
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Re: Sprouting seed
I soak mine for about 4-8 hours in a bottle. 1 level teaspoon seeds + 1 oz water + 2 drops ACV.
After the soak, I drain the water, still leaving the seeds in the bottle.
I let it stand for about 12 hours.
Rinse and feed to the birds.
After the soak, I drain the water, still leaving the seeds in the bottle.
I let it stand for about 12 hours.
Rinse and feed to the birds.
Gary
gouldians (GB,YB,BB), blackbelly firefinches (trying to breed), societies (foster parents).
red factor canary
gouldians (GB,YB,BB), blackbelly firefinches (trying to breed), societies (foster parents).
red factor canary
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Re: Sprouting seed
Hi What is ACV
Regards
Regards
- L in Ontario
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Re: Sprouting seed
Apple Cider Vinegar - I add it to my soaking seeds too and rinse seeds well before giving to birds.Transit123 wrote:Hi What is ACV
Regards
Liz
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Re: Sprouting seed
Hi
What does the Apple Cider Vinegar do to the soak seed??????
Regards
What does the Apple Cider Vinegar do to the soak seed??????
Regards
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Re: Sprouting seed
ACV is supposed to help keep bacteria from growing in the soaking seeds.
Gary
gouldians (GB,YB,BB), blackbelly firefinches (trying to breed), societies (foster parents).
red factor canary
gouldians (GB,YB,BB), blackbelly firefinches (trying to breed), societies (foster parents).
red factor canary
- MLaRue
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Re: Sprouting seed
Where are you located? Your temps alone might be causing the seed to mold so quickly.
I would use a product called Virkon S to soak the seed in and then drain. Another product people use to soak the seed in is KD Powder. Both of these products will keep the seed from growing bacteria and molds on them while waiting for them to chit.
I would use a product called Virkon S to soak the seed in and then drain. Another product people use to soak the seed in is KD Powder. Both of these products will keep the seed from growing bacteria and molds on them while waiting for them to chit.
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Re: Sprouting seed
MLaRue wrote:Where are you located? Your temps alone might be causing the seed to mold so quickly.
I would use a product called Virkon S to soak the seed in and then drain. Another product people use to soak the seed in is KD Powder. Both of these products will keep the seed from growing bacteria and molds on them while waiting for them to chit.
- poohbear
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Re: Sprouting seed
Still don't know where you're from...
DON'T feed birds any seed with mould on...it WILL kill your birds.
DON'T feed birds any seed with mould on...it WILL kill your birds.

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Re: Sprouting seed
I am located in the UK
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Re: Sprouting seed
This topic/thread was very helpful, thanks to all who contributed!
~Stephani
Top Bench Finches Aviary
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Zebras & Societies
Top Bench Finches Aviary
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Re: Sprouting seed
I'm having a problem with this too. I just got my Fidler sprouting seed, and the white seed sprouts in less than a day. It's really amazing. The problem is, a couple of the seeds mold in that time.
Here is my method: soak the seeds at room temp for 6 to 8 hours in filtered water + a couple drops of ACV. Drain, let sit at room temp for 16 to 18 hours. At this point it hasn't been rinsed yet, so I thought the ACV left in the remaining water would keep it from molding. But it is right at this point that I see mold. Normally I would rinse it now in tap water and put it in the frig, but I keep throwing it out because of the mold.
Should I use tap water to soak, which has some chlorine in it? Should I put it in the frig after the 8 hour soak, at the point when I normally drain the water? I'm afraid in the cold, it won't sprout.
Does it need to go from the soak to paper towels to actually dry? Will it sprout if it's dried off? Or should I just drain it and then maybe rinse it with new water/ACV, and drain it again before it sits for awhile? My house is air conditioned, but it's still slightly humid unless we really crank it and freeze everybody out.
Is it okay to pick out the seeds that have molded and use the rest? It always seems to be just a couple, and always the same kind. My birdies have been without sprouted seed now for several days because I can't get rid of the mold! My Abba sprout seed didn't mold this fast, but I think it also had preservative in it, so that's not good either. I'd like to figure out the Fidler seed because I really like this stuff!
Here is my method: soak the seeds at room temp for 6 to 8 hours in filtered water + a couple drops of ACV. Drain, let sit at room temp for 16 to 18 hours. At this point it hasn't been rinsed yet, so I thought the ACV left in the remaining water would keep it from molding. But it is right at this point that I see mold. Normally I would rinse it now in tap water and put it in the frig, but I keep throwing it out because of the mold.
Should I use tap water to soak, which has some chlorine in it? Should I put it in the frig after the 8 hour soak, at the point when I normally drain the water? I'm afraid in the cold, it won't sprout.
Does it need to go from the soak to paper towels to actually dry? Will it sprout if it's dried off? Or should I just drain it and then maybe rinse it with new water/ACV, and drain it again before it sits for awhile? My house is air conditioned, but it's still slightly humid unless we really crank it and freeze everybody out.
Is it okay to pick out the seeds that have molded and use the rest? It always seems to be just a couple, and always the same kind. My birdies have been without sprouted seed now for several days because I can't get rid of the mold! My Abba sprout seed didn't mold this fast, but I think it also had preservative in it, so that's not good either. I'd like to figure out the Fidler seed because I really like this stuff!
Last edited by diinin on Thu Jun 24, 2010 10:16 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Maroon bellied conure (Boop)
7 bearded dragons (Casey, Clover, Emily, Jethro, Piggy, Amber, Gretta)
6 leopard geckos (Wilma, Loopy, Lena, Curry, Spazzy, Snipper)
Wonderful Sheltie (Wolfie)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/indydi
Re: Sprouting seed
I add GSE (grapefruit seed extract) to the water and never have mold.
http://www.pureliquidgold.com/#grapefruit-seed-extract
http://www.pureliquidgold.com/#grapefruit-seed-extract