Heat and humidity making my sprouts moldy... help!

echoskybound

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Mar 30, 2011
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Wheatley - 4 year old Green Cheek Conure
I've tried to make several batches of sprouts this week, but it's been so hot and humid that all of my sprouts are getting moldy withing a couple days. They're sprouting just fine, but within a day or two of sprouting, they get this white hairy mold on them. I've had to throw the last three batches out before they were ready.

Unfortunately my AC is on the fritz and I haven't been able to keep it super cool and dry. Would it help to sprout the seeds in a darker place? Should I refrigerate them while they're sprouting?

EDIT: I researched this a little bit and found that these small white hairs are likely "root hairs", which are small roots that the plant puts out when it's dry, and are mostly found on grain and raddish sprouts. However, I've been seeing them on almost all my sprouts, and I find it odd that the roots are putting out root hairs when the air is so humid. It sounds like these are safe, but I just want to be 100% sure that this isn't mold before I feed it to my bird. Any more experienced sprouters here know whether or not these are mold or root hairs?
 
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lene1949

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Sep 26, 2011
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Cory: Short billed Corella -
Echo: Galah -
Max: Alexandrine -
Skye: Yellow Sided conure -
Luka: Green Cheek Conure -
RIP Shrek: Quaker
You might be able to smell/taste if they're moldy...

I read somewhere that sprouts are most nutritious as soon as the little root shows... that's when mine go into the fridge...

While they are still out, it's very important to rinse them really, really well every 12 hours...
 

MikeyTN

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Feb 1, 2011
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Antioch, TN
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"Willie"&"Lola"B&G Macaw,
"Dixie"LSC2, and "Nico" Scarlet Macaw.
If you have pictures to show it would be great!
 

Mare Miller

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May 14, 2011
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sierra foothills of central California
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13yr. old male umbrella cockatoo,
we call him Amigo!

7yr. old Goffin cockatoo, she IS Sassy!!
When my seeds sprout, they are READY when the little, bitty, tail comes out of the seed. If that tail develops hairs, they are just older sprouts spreading roots. Don't wait too long after that point.
 

IcyWolf

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Jul 5, 2011
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Etters, Pa
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~Alexandrine Parakeet~2 Red Lored Amazons~Blue Fronted Amazon~Black capped conure~4 Green Cheeks~4 Parrotlets~2 lineolated parakeets~9 American budgies~9 English budgies~ And lots of babies :)
I've tried sprouting several times and have never had any luck. It could be because I'm trying to sprout a seed mix rather than individual types but I know people that sprout mixes without problems. The last time went the best but was still a failure. The seeds started to sprout and I was going to give some to the birds but when I opened the container it had a very strong smell to it. It wasn't necessarily a bad smell, it wasn't a good smell by any means either, the only way I can describe it is a STRONG smell. Either way, I assumed it wasn't normal and I wasn't willing to taste them and my logic is that if I won't eat it why should I feed it to my birds?
 

lene1949

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Sep 26, 2011
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Brisbane, Australia
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Cory: Short billed Corella -
Echo: Galah -
Max: Alexandrine -
Skye: Yellow Sided conure -
Luka: Green Cheek Conure -
RIP Shrek: Quaker
I'm most successful with mung beans, they're ready in a day in summer, 2 days in winter...

I'm also doing a mixed seeds, they take longer to soak, and longer to sprout.. I rinse them really well every 12 hours, and just leave them in the drainer over a bowl...

If they start smelling bad, I throw them out, but that has only happened once...
 

Spiritbird

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Kathie is correct in asking you about GSE. Just put a few drops in the initial soak at first and they should not have any mold.
 

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