Sprouting seeds - help!

[Fishychix]

I keep trying to sprout grain seeds for my rabbits and birds but can’t do it right. The guy I bought two of my rabbits from grew really nice green barley, rye, etc. sprouts for them to eat and want to do the same. I got rye to sprout but not grow, and it kept going moldy or it dried out completely. I tried buckwheat next. According to everything I read any idiot can do it. Mine didn’t even start to sprout, so I tossed it into my garden early last week and the seeds are still there just like the day I put them there. By green I mean actual grass about 3”-4” high.

 

[JaeG]

Some seed is treated so that it doesn't grow. Perhaps that's the reason?

I soak mine for 6-8 hours, strain it into a sieve, rinse it really well, set it on top of a bowl to drain, then rinse it through with fresh water 3 times a day until they start to sprout, at which point they are fed out. Mine don't like their sprouts too long.

 

[lyleg5895]

Maybe try ordering seeds advertised specifically for sprouting you'll pay a bit more but at least you'll no if it's a problem with your methods. We've had great success with mung bean, alfalfa and a couple "green" blends.

 

[Fishychix]

Some seed is treated so that it doesn't grow. Perhaps that's the reason?

I soak mine for 6-8 hours, strain it into a sieve, rinse it really well, set it on top of a bowl to drain, then rinse it through with fresh water 3 times a day until they start to sprout, at which point they are fed out. Mine don't like their sprouts too long.

I wanted to start small so I purchased bulk buckwheat grass seed. I would think it’s meant to grow, but ... Could be a bad batch. ??

 

[lyleg5895]

I wanted to start small so I purchased bulk buckwheat grass seed. I would think it’s meant to grow, but ... Could be a bad batch. ??

It's very possible. Maybe try sprouting something else. If you have extra garden seeds around you can try spouting some of those and see.

 

[Fishychix]

It's very possible. Maybe try sprouting something else. If you have extra garden seeds around you can try spouting some of those and see.

I have some winter rye.
We had a massive rain storm yesterday and those buckwheats are still just laying on the soil not doing anything. Yup, I think those are no good.
Do I need to put the seeds on anything or just in the tub? I bought extra dish tubs at the dollar store.

 

[lyleg5895]

I have some winter rye.
We had a massive rain storm yesterday and those buckwheats are still just laying on the soil not doing anything. Yup, I think those are no good.
Do I need to put the seeds on anything or just in the tub? I bought extra dish tubs at the dollar store.

We haven't tried the tub method yet. We've been doing our sprouting in jars. But, as far as I know, they just go in the tub with water.