Like other grains, sunflower seeds can also be sprouted to provide a healthy source of nutrients. Proper sprouting depends on various factors: temperature, volume of water and time. The steps below will walk you through the simple process of making sunflower seed sprouts, and will explain some other hints as alternative ways. In general, you'll need to adapt the sprouting process to suit changing weather and humidity, and to produce the kind of sprouts you want.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Making Sprouts from Sunflower Seeds
Sprouts from sunflower seeds are a healthy snack that is easy to make and can be prepared in a matter of hours. Sunflower sprouts are similar to shorter alfalfa sprouts or mung bean sprouts, and are a good source of nutrients. Sunflower sprouts can be used in salads, as a snack, as a side dish, or in a variety of other delicious alternatives
Step 1. Buy or collect sunflower seeds that are still raw, unsalted, and peeled
Seeds without skin will germinate faster. If you only have sunflower seeds that are still skinned, collect them in a bowl and rinse thoroughly. Pour and drain the seeds into a colander. Try peeling the seeds. Don't worry if there is still some skin left.
Step 2. Put the seeds in a jar
Place the sunflower seeds in an open jar, such as a cookie jar or a slightly larger jar.
Step 3. Add water
Fill the jar with water so that the seeds float to the surface of the water.
Step 4. Let the jar sit for 8 hours
During this period, the seeds will begin to germinate. Wait until it has almost doubled in size and sprouts have started to appear. Check the germination of sunflower seeds regularly and do not soak them too long.
Step 5. Rinse the seeds and put them back in the jar
Close the jar.
Step 6. Wait
Leave the seeds in the jar and place in a cool or room temperature place without direct sunlight for 1-3 days until they all germinate. Rinse and return to the jar every 1-2 times a day until everything has germinated.
Step 7. Enjoy
Once the seeds start to germinate and look like a small "v", they are ready to eat. Rinse one last time and enjoy!
Method 2 of 3: Sowing Shoots
Sunflower buds are easy to grow, only take a few days, and you can have a year-round supply of fresh greens. Sunflower buds are similar to watercress or mustard sprouts and are a great source of nutrients. These shoots can be used in salads, sushi, soups, or other delicacies
Step 1. Prepare the required tools
You'll need black sunflower seeds, a pie plate (two at least), and fertile soil from a nearby flower stand (organic is better).
Step 2. Create a germination area
Take one of the pie plates and fill it with soil up to the lip of the plate.
Step 3. Soak the seeds
Take 1/4 cup seeds and soak them in a bowl of water until completely submerged, for 8 hours.
Step 4. Spread the seeds on the ground
Spread the seeds all over the soil surface then water until wet.
Step 5. Place the second pie plate on the ground
Place the bottom surface of the second pie plate on the ground, as if stacking plates. Press and drain the remaining water.
Step 6. Wait
Store the germinated seeds (with the second pie plate still on top) in a cool, dark place. Wait for about 3 days, but check every day. When the top plate lifts about 2.5 cm, remove it from a dark place.
Step 7. Put it in a sunny place
Remove the top plate and place the sprouts in a sunny place.
Step 8. Eat when it's ready
Once the shoots are ready to eat, cut and rinse to remove the skin. From the moment you put them in a sunny spot, it will take about 2 days for the shoots to be ready to eat, or sooner if you live in a fairly warm area. Enjoy!
Method 3 of 3: Making Sprouts for Planting
Sunflowers are notoriously difficult to grow straight at the final planting site and their seeds are a favorite food for birds. You may want to sow them into sprouts before planting them, especially if you are having a hard time keeping these sunflowers alive
Step 1. Consider doing the methods above
Either way you can do to make sunflower seed sprouts that can be planted. But you can also make sprouts in the traditional way as below.
Step 2. Wet the tissue paper
Wet a few pieces of tissue paper in a little water. Add some plant nutrients. The tissue should be wet, but not soaked, it will be difficult to handle.
Step 3. Place the seeds on a paper towel
Place a few seeds on a tissue paper. Leave some space between the seeds, then fold the tissue paper over to cover the seeds.
Step 4. Put the tissue paper in a plastic bag
Re-drip the tissue with a little water and place it in a sealed plastic bag (such as a Zip-loc bag). Seal the plastic bag, but leave a small gap less than 2.5cm wide in the center.
Step 5. Put it in the sun
Place a plastic bag in the sun and let the seeds germinate.
Step 6. Plant when ready
Plant sunflowers after they have sprouted. Plant in soil with a pH between 6.5 to 7. Sunflowers will not grow well if planted in a place that gets a lot of rain. So if you live in an area with high rainfall, plant sunflowers in a shaded area.
You need to know, sunflowers planted in pots will not grow as big as flowers planted in the ground
Tips
- Making sprouts in the rainy season and dry season will be different. Try increasing or decreasing the time and number of rinse cycles in Step 8 if your sprouts are too slow or hardening too quickly. Alternatively, adjust the refrigerator temperature if the seeds are germinating abnormally.
- Use special germination bags after Step 6, instead of jars. You can put the germinated seeds in a germination bag and hang them over a sink or other place to dry. Continue to rinse every 5 hours.
- Sprouts should be firm and crunchy. If the sprouts are very soft, it may be that there is too much water or you have let the sprouts sit too long.
