Using a sprouter for sprouting seeds

[killerflies]

The thought just crossed my mind that the sprouter that I use to sprout small seedlings et cetera for eating might be of use in sprouting seeds such as my chilli peppers, long beans et cetera?

Anybody with any experience with this??

I am beginning to plant a few things and sew a few more things and as I am running a bit late, I thought that I would hurry things on a little.

Any pointers are gratefully accepted!

[killerflies]

[tim]

I would have thought that direct contact with moisture was necessary?

[MacArthur Park]

I have used mine for all my peas and beans, sweetcorn, chickpea and cabbages. (The latter was because the seed was given to me and was old so I wanted to see if it was any good.) Today I have even put in parsnip seeds to see if they'll sprout. As long as you water them at least twice a day they are designed to hold some water to keep the seeds moist. Hope that helps.

[killerflies]

Sounds promising so!

I have put in a few broad beans and dwarf french beans in my sprouter this morning to give it a go.

At what stage do you think I should be putting them in soil/compost? I was thinking along the lines of when they were a inch or so tall.

[Robert_Brenchley]

Plant them as the roots start to grow, otherwise they'll turn into a tangled mass.

[killerflies]

Ill keep a tight eye on them so!

[Emagggie]

'Scuse me, I'm sure You will think me an ignoramous, but what  does a sprouter look like? I don't think I've seen one before......... ???

[caroline7758]

Here's one type:

http://seeds.thompson-morgan.com/uk/en/product/kww2017/1

[Emagggie]

Thanks Caroline, that's a new thing to me! Are they mainly used for sprouts you eat like mung bean etc.?

[killerflies]

Thats exactly it. There are a million different things that you can grow in them, mung beans being one and with any luck, runner beans and french beans too!

It is day 2.5 now and still no sign of roots and shoots coming from my beans.

The cress, broccoli and various peas and beans (all for eating) have begun to sprout already though.

Im sure that these french and runner beans being different beasties altogether mean that there will be a time delay, but we  shall see.

Has anyone actually done this before? Approx how many days will it take? Same as in compost/longer/shorter?

[killerflies]

UPDATE:

After approx 4 days 1/5 Broad bean and 1/5 French Dwarf have sprouted. YIPPEE!!

No sign of the others yet, but I am hopefull.

It is interesting to note that I soaked them for a few hours before putting into the sprouter and 1/5 of each of the beans floated in the water and the other 4 sunk.

Im not sure if they are the same seeds but it is definatly something Ill have to keep an eye on. May be a quick test for fast sprouting seeds!!.......maybe not too.

[killerflies]

UPDATE:

After 7 days, all 5 of each of the runner beans and dwarf frenchies have sprouted in the sprouter.
Some have more established roots than others but that is down to the difference  in the times it took to sprout.

All in all it was a success! Im going to keep this going and see how I get on with other seeds.

Anybody want to add their bit on this???

[asbean]

That's a good idea to try.  We bought a sprouter a couple of years ago, and often use it for sprouting beans (mung etc).  The rest of the time it sits in the cupboard. 

But the thing I'm sold on this year is root trainers.  In the past I used the middle-sized cream pots from the supermarkets for beans, but they changed the type of tub (shorter and fatter) and the 50 or so I had became brittle and manky, so I decided to give the root trainers a go.  I bought 2 sets to start with, and was so impressed I bought another, and will probably get another couple, as we grow a lot of beans.  And they take up a hell of a lot less room than the old cream pots.

[Jeannine]

Thompson and Morgan sprouters are in the half price sale ,they come with 20 different packets of sprouting seeds, I just ordered one. XX Jeannine

[asbean]

Good idea, could order with the half-price seeds

[killerflies]

I have used mine for all my peas and beans, sweetcorn, chickpea and cabbages. (The latter was because the seed was given to me and was old so I wanted to see if it was any good.) Today I have even put in parsnip seeds to see if they'll sprout. As long as you water them at least twice a day they are designed to hold some water to keep the seeds moist. Hope that helps.

MacArthur, any luck with your parsnip seeds in the sprouter?

[killerflies]

Its a while since this thread was active, but as 'tis the season and all, I thought that Id resurrect it.

The sprouter......................

3 days ago, I put 2 varieties of presoaked (2 hours in tap water) peas and already there is stirrings of life!

Just to chance  it, I put in some chilli seeds to see how they'd go. The constant heat and moisture (although chillis arent massive moisture fans) should help kickstart things.

Ill keep you posted.

Beir bua!

[killerflies]

UPDATE: Just FYI...............

The peas are flying! They are massive and are approx 2.5 weeks in the sprouter. Time to pot the.

One thing of not however, and Ill be bearing this in mind for the future, the peas are a bit twisty shaped. I suppose the lack of directional stimulous has prevented them from growing straight. That said however, I have no doubt that they will straighten up once planted.

They are going into my self-made, self-watering container this weekend.

[star]

Excellent stuff Killer ;)

[GrannieAnnie]

Talk about one's inability to think out of the box- I have a mung bean sprouter (jar with lids with different sized holes) but never thought to use it for garden seeds.  sounds easier than using the wet paper towel in a zip lock for tiny seeds.  Thank you killerflies.