John Hopkin’s hospital lost a patent claim to use fresh broccoli sprouts in cancer treatment. Google John Hopkins broccoli sprouts in China. I am not a doctor or work in medical field but found this interesting as the active natural chemicals released when eaten fresh appears to shrink cancers. (Does not cure cancers but has a very promising effect of shrinking cancers). So I eat a 7-10 ounce serving of fresh sprouts weekly.
Each week I grow a batch of broccoli and alfalfa sprouts to eat with my lunch meals. And also am a fan of sunflower and pea sprouts. I have sold a batch smaller sprouts to friends and coworkers for $7-$10. And sunflower or pea for $15. I started with sprouting by using the typical method with a jar and lid. You put in 1 to two teaspoons of seeds in the jar then rinse 6 times a day for 7- 10 days. Spreading the seeds along the jar sides. But found that I could not maintain the 6 tiems a day rinse. Just missing one of those rinse cycles often killed or wilted the sprouts. I found a self-watering sprouter at htps://www.youtube.com/@KeepOnGrowin I made some of them and noticed how well they worked. I modified the design making it easier as is outlined below. Basically, this is a wicking hydroponic system using just water primarily to sprout. Hydro = water & ponic = to grow. It is about 2500 years old as it is one of the wonders of the world in the city of Babylon. Who conquered Jerusalem and took the people captive as slaves. To make the container I use inexpensive food storage containers from Dollar store. I use two sizes so one fits inside the other. 2 containers each for $1.25. You will want to get twice as many of the smaller size because they are also used as a humidity dome. Take one of the smaller ones and drill 3/8 hole in the four corners. Then clean off the plastic burrs with a knife. This smaller size will fit inside the larger one giving you a 2 inch space beneath the bottom of the smaller one. I create the wicking system using yarn from Dollar store. 4 strings 8-10 long then tied in simple knot I create a string into the container below that will “wick” up the water to the above container (hydro mechanics). Nest the two storage containers. This is ready to add the paper towel, seed, and water. Fold a ½ sheet of paper towel in half. Place in bottom. Then using a water spray bottle spray it into the bottom of the container like this. I buy my broccoli and alfalfa seeds from. Good Earth Market but they are available in any good natural food store. Broccoli and alfalfa both are about $8 for 8 oz. Both take one teaspoon per sprouter. Sprinkle as evenly as you can then using another ½ sheet paper towel cover and using spray bottle spray until wet. Then pour slowly a bout 8 oz of water on the towel trying hard to not let the seeds float out beneath the towel. Then taking a undrilled container then placing it like a dome over the sprouter. Place in a well-lighted space at human room temperature about 68-72 degrees. Then to trick the seeds to think they are buried in soil or soil like stuff. Cover them making it dark for 24-72 hours (like resurrection morning uncover morning of third day). Then “uncover” the product will be ready in 7-10 days for eating or putting in fridge not to exceed 5 days. (Black bucket at Dollar store used as cover).
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