Guest guest Posted January 2, 2011 Report Share Posted January 2, 2011 Hi. Why not invest in the Sprout Garden? It's on Amazon, or Handy Pantry. This is what I use. Round green stackable trays. And so easy to clean up after. I just take out the sprouts, dunk in hot hot water, use a wash cloth, make sure it is nice and clean, and rinse thoroughly. No bleach at my end either. Never had a problem. Melody > > Hi everyone :-) > > I've been lurking for a couple of months, but haven't posted in this group before. > > I have been using the EasySprout for sprouts and the Mini Sproutmaster trays for greens (using baby blanket or the tencel/sure to grow pads from Sproutpeople). They both work fine, but cleaning up the sproutmaster trays is a bit of a nightmare - all those tight corners to scrub - it probably wouldn't be so bad but I can't use bleach to soak them (I have chemical issues, a small matter of it closing my esophagus) so after a while they start to look brown and icky. I tried hydrogen peroxide with minimal results. I know they are " clean " but eww LOL Maybe if they weren't white... > > So, I'm thinking I want to give terracotta sprouters a go - besides, I kinda like the idea of using terracotta - seems more natural :-) > > I was following the Chia pet thread, and Nicola mentioned that she was hoping to get one of the Geo Sprouters from Santa - but she didn't say later if she got one (I hope Santa got you what you wanted Nicola). > > What I'm hoping for is some input on which terracotta sprouter is best - or if they are any good at all. There is a dearth of reviews out there for this type of sprouter. I'm hoping to hear from some of you and your thoughts on this before I shell out $40 - $80 on something that may or may not work out. > > Thank you :-) > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 2, 2011 Report Share Posted January 2, 2011 ,I am so glad you posted! I have heard that the white trays are a pain to clean. Definitely not worth closing off the air passages! I am very curious about the terra cotta too--I just gave the sprouting chia pet to my finch and canaries. I don't think they have tried it out because they usually don't trust anything new right away. The head of the flock is a canary who has to lead the way. I'll say this for it--after it finally got going it sprouted beautifully.Thanks for posting that question. I will be interested in hearing what people say. n Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 2, 2011 Report Share Posted January 2, 2011 I have to agree with Melody, the Sprout Garden has presented no stain issues and any tiny seeds that get stuck come right out. The occasional stubborn one dislodges well with a little scrub brush. No corners either because they are round. Goodness, I sound like a salesman lolBut seriously, I never bleach them. I do bleach the Easy Sprouts because they get so discolored. n Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 2, 2011 Report Share Posted January 2, 2011 Hi , Santa did indeed decide that I had been a good girl this year! My sproutpeople order is due to arrive Tuesday, and I will be setting up my new sprouter shortly after that. I bought it primarily for microgreens--the little mucilaginous seeds such as arugula and cress. I grow the larger greens such as buckwheat and pea on soil or vermiculite. I don't really like using baby blanket or STG because they dry out so fast. These media are OK for microgreens but they are just too fussy for me so I want to try the clay. Gil mentioned to me that the terra cotta sprouters don't work well enough, plus they are reluctant to ship something that heavy and fragile. I will let this group know how I like it and what I grow in it. I have the large sproutmaster tray and use Bon Ami to clean the corners. I like it for leafy sprout blends. I don't bother getting it spotless. The sprout garden looks easier to clean, but I like the drainage and circulation of sproutmaster. If you are growing on baby blanket or tencel you don't need a sprouter. Terra cotta sprouters are porous and thus will be impossible to clean, just like terra cotta pots. I will probably rinse it in vinegar. Nicola > > Hi everyone :-) > > > I have been using the EasySprout for sprouts and the Mini Sproutmaster trays for greens (using baby blanket or the tencel/sure to grow pads from Sproutpeople). They both work fine, but cleaning up the sproutmaster trays is a bit of a nightmare - all those tight corners to scrub - it probably wouldn't be so bad but I can't use bleach to soak them (I have chemical issues, a small matter of it closing my esophagus) so after a while they start to look brown and icky. I tried hydrogen peroxide with minimal results. I know they are " clean " but eww LOL Maybe if they weren't white... > > So, I'm thinking I want to give terracotta sprouters a go - besides, I kinda like the idea of using terracotta - seems more natural :-) > > I was following the Chia pet thread, and Nicola mentioned that she was hoping to get one of the Geo Sprouters from Santa - but she didn't say later if she got one (I hope Santa got you what you wanted Nicola). > > What I'm hoping for is some input on which terracotta sprouter is best - or if they are any good at all. There is a dearth of reviews out there for this type of sprouter. I'm hoping to hear from some of you and your thoughts on this before I shell out $40 - $80 on something that may or may not work out. > > Thank you :-) > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 2, 2011 Report Share Posted January 2, 2011 Glad you got your sprouter Nicola. I look forward to hearing about how you like it. nps, I wonder if baking soda would work with a little hydrogen peroxide to clean the sproutmaster. I intend to clean my chia pet with vinegar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 2, 2011 Report Share Posted January 2, 2011 I forgot to ask--where did you buy your terracotta sprouter? Sproutpeople doesn't sell them, I think Sprout house does?marion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 2, 2011 Report Share Posted January 2, 2011 Probably, but I won't go near hydrogen peroxide. It's a long story. I consider it too toxic to have in my house, but I have a medical condition that makes it so for me. I know it is natural and is in our bodies anyway, but it is still a toxin. It is funny how we react when things look dirty to us. Pathogenic bacteria and viruses are not visible. I've just told myself not to be bothered by these red and brown plant pigments staining my sprouters. Of course I don't really know if I'm getting all the bacteria out, but I've never gotten sick from my own sprouts. Nicola > > Glad you got your sprouter Nicola. I look forward to hearing about how you like it. nps, I wonder if baking soda would work with a little hydrogen peroxide to clean the sproutmaster. I intend to clean my chia pet with vinegar. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 2, 2011 Report Share Posted January 2, 2011 n, It was a gift but you can get it here: http://www.italianseedandtool.com/product/BGSTC/GEO-Terra-Cotta-Sprouter.html Nicola > > > I forgot to ask--where did you buy your terracotta sprouter? Sproutpeople doesn't sell them, I think Sprout house does?marion > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 2, 2011 Report Share Posted January 2, 2011 Nicola,What a beautiful sprouter. Reasonable price too. Good luck with it! Â n, It was a gift but you can get it here: http://www.italianseedandtool.com/product/BGSTC/GEO-Terra-Cotta-Sprouter.html Nicola > > > I forgot to ask--where did you buy your terracotta sprouter? Sproutpeople doesn't sell them, I think Sprout house does?marion > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 3, 2011 Report Share Posted January 3, 2011 n: Exactly what is the difference if one uses a terra cotta stacking system, or our Sprout Garden. If it's a question of how it looks, well the Terra Cotta wins right? But do they do the exact same thing in the exact same manner? Melody > > > > > > > > > I forgot to ask--where did you buy your terracotta sprouter? Sproutpeople doesn't sell them, I think Sprout house does?marion > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 3, 2011 Report Share Posted January 3, 2011 Melody,I think the differences are that clay (terracotta) is porous, breathes (has better air circulation), and retains some moisture. The plastic trays we have are not porous, the air circulation is different, and they trap moisture and instead of absorbing it. Cactus, for example, do great in clay and can be troublesome in plastic because the clay allows the excess water to evaporate out of the pot itself, while plastic contains it and if there is poor drainage, the cactus will be sitting in a damp pot--which is not good for most of them and can lead to root rot. On the other hand, a problem with terracotta is that it can dry out too quickly and attention has to be paid to watering/rinsing. I have an orchid (Oncidium " Twinkle Little Star " ) that flowers with little beautiful vanilla scented yellow and white flowers that came to me in a plastic pot. Once I moved it into a clay pot, I had to increase watering--It is a relatively easy orchid to bring into flower, however, mine would not flower. Once I started watering it more frequently (usually a big no-no with orchids), it immediately started to flower. When I think of using terracotta for sprouting, I am really not thinking of getting rid of my Sprout Garden--I so enjoy it. I think the terracotta would be great for muciloginous seeds like arrugula, chia, flax. My little experiment with the chia pet showed me how this could work. Muciloginous seeds form a sticky material around them that has nutrients and moisture--they are impossible to grow alone in the sprout garden, but on clay they are easy.The Italian Terra cotta sprouter is beautiful. Don't know if I'll ever buy one. Depends upon how much we eat microgreens. Not to mention that probably next Winter we will invest in an aerogarden. n Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 3, 2011 Report Share Posted January 3, 2011 n: Thanks for the explanation. EW just told me that my birds nest patties can evolve into EGG FOO YOUNG. You KNOW I'll try this next time. lol I'm sticking with my sprout garden. And when you get your Aerogarden, you must let me know how it goes. I love growing stuff. And this morning my blood sugar was 95, so all my hard work is paying off. Melody > > > Melody,I think the differences are that clay (terracotta) is porous, breathes (has better air circulation), and retains some moisture. The plastic trays we have are not porous, the air circulation is different, and they trap moisture and instead of absorbing it. > Cactus, for example, do great in clay and can be troublesome in plastic because the clay allows the excess water to evaporate out of the pot itself, while plastic contains it and if there is poor drainage, the cactus will be sitting in a damp pot--which is not good for most of them and can lead to root rot. > On the other hand, a problem with terracotta is that it can dry out too quickly and attention has to be paid to watering/rinsing. > I have an orchid (Oncidium " Twinkle Little Star " ) that flowers with little beautiful vanilla scented yellow and white flowers that came to me in a plastic pot. Once I moved it into a clay pot, I had to increase watering--It is a relatively easy orchid to bring into flower, however, mine would not flower. Once I started watering it more frequently (usually a big no-no with orchids), it immediately started to flower. > When I think of using terracotta for sprouting, I am really not thinking of getting rid of my Sprout Garden--I so enjoy it. I think the terracotta would be great for muciloginous seeds like arrugula, chia, flax. My little experiment with the chia pet showed me how this could work. Muciloginous seeds form a sticky material around them that has nutrients and moisture--they are impossible to grow alone in the sprout garden, but on clay they are easy.The Italian Terra cotta sprouter is beautiful. Don't know if I'll ever buy one. Depends upon how much we eat microgreens. Not to mention that probably next Winter we will invest in an aerogarden. n > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 3, 2011 Report Share Posted January 3, 2011 Melody,Wow that is wonderful that you see the effects of your sprout diet on your blood sugar. I will no doubt talk about what ever I do with terra cotta sprouters and aerogardens lol n Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 3, 2011 Report Share Posted January 3, 2011 Hi, not to go off topic about diabetes (but this concerns eating sprouts too) Well, what happened is that because I had that cold for two weeks, my sugar went up. Since I never get sick, I had no idea that when one is fighting a cold, the body fights the cold and doesn't regulate the blood sugar like it did before the cold. I went online and found numerous links and found out that people up their basal insulin when this happened. (People actual double the amount of basal insulin that they take).Never knew this. So I carefully increased it and when my cold was all gone, my sugar began to go down. This took approx 2 1/2 weeks to accomplish. I don't cheat on my diet (never). So I just waited it out, ate healthfully and this morning it was 95. So now I have to SLOWLY go down by a few points on the Lantus to where I was BEFORE cold happened in my body. If I stay at this level of Lantus I run the risk of hypoglycemia. So I'll go down by 2 points until I reach where I was BEFORE the cold. Somewhere between 8 and 10 units of the Lantus. I'm not worried about me. I have friends who take 80 units of Levimir (similar to Lantus), and 3 shots of humolog a day, and pills and their sugar is 275. See why I take care of myself? And Cornell told me " It's because of your sprouting and what you eat that you have good control over your blood sugar. There is no magic bullet here. I have diabetes. I can wake up and it could be 200 some morning. I rarely get that (in fact, I NEVER get that), but Cornell told me " That's diabetes " So that's why I sprout and I eat sprouts at every meal. I think whatever is in those sprouts are going into every cell of my body. Thank goodness I happen to love the taste and I like looking at the green flowery ends as they grow. I feel like I'm putting live things into my body and those things are keeping me as healthy as I could possibly aspire to be. So like I said, no magic bullet, but we do have to try. That's what I do every day. Take care, Melody > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 3, 2011 Report Share Posted January 3, 2011 Melody I think you are so right-we do have to try and take responsibility for our health because the alternative won't be fun. And sprouting and eating well are fun. marion > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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