Storing seeds for sprouting

[musicjan]

I'm just starting to sprout seeds for Bitsy. My health food store only sells in 1 lb. quantities. This is frustrating! Considering that Bitsy is my only bird, these seeds are going to last forever! The other frustrating element is that I really wanted a wider variety of seed - still may buy more, but how I wish I could buy them in smaller quantities. Anyway - the question: how do I store the seeds? Is it ok to freeze them? Refrigetation better? Any help would be appreciated. So far I have 3 lbs.

[Nikki]

Parrots on the Porch site recommends storing the part of their mixes that you don't sprout right away in the freezer, but I'm sure that Reta would know alot more about this than me.

[jodeg]

Gosh, thanks Nikki! I didn't know that! I got mine from Parrots on the Porch and have just been keeping them in the zip lock bag they came in, in the cupboard. Will put in the freezer. Once sprouted, of course they've been in the fridge, and I only sprout about 3 days' worth at a time.

Kiwi's loves them!

[lineola]

Here's handy storage information and a seed chart at sproutpeople.com:

http://www.sproutpeople.com/grow/storage.html

They also say:

Seed life can be maximized by Freezing - which will increase shelf life 4-5 times or
Refrigerating - which will at least double it. In all cases it is essential that you
avoid condensation - which could shorten a seed's life.

[musicjan]

Awesome!~ I just wanted to be sure that freezing wouldn't destroy any of the nutrition. Thanks, all!

[chapala]

I freeze my extra grains - have to buy a lot at once since some can only be purchased in the U.S. on infrequent trips. However, I make up a grain/seed sprout mix in a big jar, and use that up in about two to three months. That I keep in the cupboard, and it sprouts fine. Same with legumes - I make up a mix that is in a big jar in the cupboard, and keep extras that I can't find here (like adzuki and mung) in the freezer.
Reta

[unpoquito]

I really need to read up on this, as I've failed miserably at my first 2 attempts to sprout for my birds. First, I watched a nice youtube how-to video. But mine didn't sprout! I'm sure it was user error! Then I bought one of those sprout kits for birds at the pet store, and it just looked like a soggy mess with no sprouts. lol I'm sure I've done so many things incorrectly as a new bird owner and will laugh later. If I could get my two to eat something other than seeds I'll be elated. I read Reta's suggestion of not leaving food in the cage over night - another error on my part. I was leaving full meals of seeds and mash overnight in their cage. I won't tonight. Tomorrow morning I'll offer the vegies/fruit, and Beak Appetite and hope for the best.

[lisap]

I tried the grow sprouts kit and got just a few sprouts so its not just you, my daughter also complained about the smell of the water logged sprouts so it got sent outside to die.

[musicjan]

I used to sprout seed for the family all the time. Hopefully I can pull it off for Bitsy too. I'm presently sprouting 3 seeds, and the millet isn't sprouting - the others are....can't figure that out.

Reta, why is the list of legumes that are ok to sprout so short?

Thanks all!

[musicjan]

Lisap, My best luck with sprouting years ago was with a plastic sprouter lid. I lost mine in moves years ago, but have ordered another. You might give it a try. Here's an example of what I'm talking about:

http://www.wheatgrasskits.com/sprouting/sprout_lid.htm?gclid=CN2_1Zeh_ZQCFQKJxgodgmJWcQ

Hope the link works.

[chapala]

I really like the very simple strainer method of sprouting, although I have heard many people like the EZ Sprouter. Sprouting needs are fairly simple: the overnight soak, then drain and rinse, good air circulation (I'm not a fan of the glass jar method - not enough air), and rinse, rinse, rinse until done. Grains can be served immediately after overnight soaking - germination has started, but they are even mroe nutritious when the little white root just starts to show, about 24 to 36 hours past the soak time. Legumes must be sprouted until they have 1/2" roots.

The legume list is so short because legumes in the dry state contain toxins, some more than others, and some are less digestible than others. Any other legume not on the short list should not be sprouted, though they can be soaked overnight, then cooked (boil 10 minutes, cover and simmer 20 minutes). The various beans not on the list still contain some level of toxins sprouted so must be soaked and cooked. I don't actually cook any legumes except the ones good for sprouting, because they are more digestible: mung, lentil, adzuki, whole pea (split if cooked is fine), and garbanzo.
Reta

[jodeg]

I too use Reta's method -- simple strainer, and they sprout fast too! Soak overnight, rinse in the strainer and let it sit in the strainer on the kitchen counter. Rinse several times a day, and BOOM! you'll have sprouts in no time, some times by the end of that first day! For sure the next morning (for me at least). Then store in the fridge. I have to keep a close eye on them because they sprout so fast that first day after soaking.

I think the strainer method works the best because there's good air circulation. It's inexpensive too -- just a small kitchen strainer will hold enough for about 3 days.

I was complicating this WAY TOO MUCH, looking at all the kits and ways of sprouting -- til RETA :D set me straight!

It works every time -- try it this way and see!

[Nikki]

Reta: this is a silly question, but I'm genuinely curious: I tried sprouting some of Toby's regular seed mix and it wouldn't sprout using the strainer method. Should the seed sprout even though it is part of a dry feeding mix? And should I steer away from this brand because it wouldn't sprout?

[musicjan]

When you say kitchen strainer, are you speaking of tea strainer or a colander?

[chapala]

Reta: this is a silly question, but I'm genuinely curious: I tried sprouting some of Toby's regular seed mix and it wouldn't sprout using the strainer method. Should the seed sprout even though it is part of a dry feeding mix? And should I steer away from this brand because it wouldn't sprout?

Not a silly question at all! If the seed mix does not sprout, I think the seeds are not fresh. A fresh seed mix should sprout. I would look for a different source and try the sprouting to judge freshness.
Reta

[chapala]

When you say kitchen strainer, are you speaking of tea strainer or a colander?

Just a simple little strainer. I happen to use a nylon one (I guess that's what it is), but you can use stainless steel too. The holes in a colander are too big, and some seeds/grains will fall through, so that's why a strainer is suggested. And even though I sprout for 3 total, and two of them bigger parrots including the Macaw, I can fit enough in a strainer for a three day supply of sprouts. I do sprout the grain/seed mix separately from the legumes though.
Reta

[musicjan]

Reta, do the little sprouts always stay white, or do you want them to turn a little green? Do they keep growing once refrigerated? Thanks

[chapala]

For sprouting, the grains, seeds and legumes don't sprout long enough to get to the green stage, and we feed them before that stage for peak nutrition. If you're growing wheat or barley grass in a little bit of soil, that is completely different than sprouts, and yes, the green shoots are what is fed (only the first two cuttings though).

You can grow alfalfa sprouts to the green stage and feed them, and of course they need light to turn green. Alfalfa sprouts must be sprouted enough to grow fairly long because the seed contains toxins until fully sprouted.

They do keep growing once refrigerated but much more slowly in the cold temperature. Sprouts because they are alive and growing can be left longer in the cage than chopped vegetables and fruit or cooked food without spoiling.
Reta

[musicjan]

Thanks so much for the info! That's really interested that the sprouts can be left in the cage a bit longer than fresh foods. Bitsy sure does like them! Before I saw your post, I'd ordered a sprouting lid. I'm in and out of the house quite often and rinse the growing sprouts in the jar several times a day. I've never had a problem - we'll see. I want to get more kinds of seed -- now I have white millet, spelt, and oatgroats. The millet has yet to sprout. Hmmmmm.

[trinity]

Hey,
I'm a newbie too. I have done a lot of stupid things that I laugh about now. One of them was my early failure with sprouting. I did all of the same things you did. Then I read parrots for dummies. Yes a very general text, but it did have some good tidbits of info (inexpensive too). The author suggests sprouting a small amount of each seed batch you buy to test for viability. Some of those bags of seed sit on the shelves for a long time! Some are not as viable as the bag next to it. Seeds that sprout have greater nutrient content and digestability. Not to mention fresher!!!! Batches that fail to have lost a significant part of thier nutrient value and so are useless to our parrotlets.

I did all of the same things. When I tried a new batch of seed my problem was solved. This may not work for you, but try it. It can't hurt.