I love the convenience and functionality of this. It's got a tiny footprint-This is a must since I have literally four sq ft of counter space in my apartment's kitchenette. Yet, the four trays will accommodate the growth of more sprouts than I can eat in a week. On the design.. The water drains quickly, usually within 10 minutes. I've had a couple problems with water not draining, although that is probably because the mature sprouts have a root network that tends to hold in water, so it's a problem inherent in how sprouts grow rather than a flaw with the sprouter. At any rate, I've had 0 problems with mold. Some unsprouted seeds may also find their way into the holes. While two or three clogged holes won't impede draining much, they are difficult to get out. A simple solution is to have a floss pick handy, as the pointy end will easily unwedge the stuck seeds.
If you're looking for a cheap, simple way of sprouting sprouts, I highly recommend this. While bulkier than the sprouting cup, it has 4x as much space for sprouts than a sprouting cup. I have not personally tried using the cup, and while one advantage of the cup is that the hulls are easily removed, I'm glad I went with this as I'm sure I would be eating more sprouts with the tray sprouter. Bottom line.. This item might seriously be one of the best inventions in kitchen gardening.
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=====WHY WHEATGRASS?
Dr. Ann Wigmore on wheatgrass:
Wheatgrass contains the greatest variety of vitamins and minerals and trace elements, and 15 pounds of fresh wheatgrass is equal to 350 pounds of the choicest vegetables.
The molecular structure of wheatgrass closely resembles hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein of red blood cells, which may be the reason for the effectiveness of chlorophyll. The only difference between the two is that the metallic atom in the molecule of human blood is iron, while the metallic atom of chlorophyll is magnesium
[Wheatgrass juice]. . . has helped to eliminate cancerous growths, and helped many other disorders, including mental health problems.
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My takeaway from Dr. Wigmore's information is that wheatgrass juice is equivalent to blood, except for the difference in iron and magnesium, and that wheatgrass juice is an excellent way to ingest the benefits of 'vegetables'; in fact 23 times the benefit of equivalent weight in vegetables; and due to the oxygenating properties, wheatgrass juice both cures and prevents physical as well as mental problems.
A good source of quality wheat to sprout in #10 cans (56oz. $10 + $6 shipping) or 42 pound 'superpails' ($44.95 + $6 shipping): can be ordered from beprepared.com Only drawback is a 4 week delivery time. Fantastic shipping rates: $0-60 order ships for $ 6; $61-$120 order ships for $9; $120+ order ships for $12.
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REVIEW:
This is a round 4-tier tray set that equals 113 Sq. Inches, (equivalent to a 10½" x 10½" tray) of grow space. BUT it has a 6" footprint! The grow height between trays is 1 9/16" so I like to separate trays into individual planters once the sprouts are large enough.
Each tray = 28¼ square inches. Start seed in one tray, wait 2 days, another tray. . . Keep the first tray on top and there's continuous fresh sprouts in a 6" footprint.
My average wheatgrass juice yield taken during 40 harvests of each individual tray equals 4½ fl. ounces! 1 set of 4 trays yields 18 fl. ounces of wheatgrass juice! Cool. I use 2 sets, planting wheat seed daily for a daily harvest (The grass stores extremely well in the refrigerator for a week until as many trays as you want to juice are harvested. Or, grow all at once & . . .)
Love the "Healthy Juicer Wheatgrass Juicer" It comes complete with spare parts for the wear areas!
This system is scientifically designed with high and low rings in the bottom of each tray with drain holes to prevent over-watering of the seed. The roots can rest on top of the ring, or grow down into the bottom if it is hungry for water. Point is that the design makes it very difficult to over-water.
I grew several different types of seed beyond the sprout stage with outstanding success using this system for hydroponics without soil or any soil substitute whatsoever.
The root system interlocks into a mass that holds the plants erect and the 6" diameter supports the root mass; so there is no need for soil or soil substitutes to support the crop. I grew thick robust wheatgrass to 11" harvested it; juiced it and it regenerated a second crop with no messy dirt!
Second growths' will not be as thick as the 1st as some plants die during harvesting. The third growth is not worth it when a fresh, thicker planting of fresh seed will yield much more juice.
I even let green peas, soy beans, and several more seed types grow to around 8" to test the results for soil-less hydroponics growing with success for all seed. No dirt, no mess, better, faster growing, healthier plants. Just add nutrient formula below and watch your sprouts explode!
These trays grow heavy yields, without soil or dirt, and hydroponics is extremely simple. It even allows root inspection and cleaning.
Here is a very effective hydroponics nutrient solution formula:
1 gal. container with tight cap to shake and mix following solution.
4 quarts tap / city water if available (prevents mold, mildew) 337 ppm
Add each item below to 2 quarts water and shake vigorously, add remaining water and adjust pH.
1 good teaspoon Peter's Special or Miracle Grow 100% Water Soluble fertilizer. est.582 ppm
¼ heaping teaspoon calcium est. 400 ppm (Easy source is Damp Rid)
¼ heaping teaspoon Epsom Salts est. 150 ppm (magnesium & sulfur)
1 teaspoon household grade USP peroxide. 0 PPM 0 pH change
1 rounded teaspoon Azomite trace minerals (optional) est 10ppm & raises ph 0.5
(pH down acid: 1/16th to 1/8th teaspoon will drop pH est. 0.4 > 0.8 & slightly raise ppm.)
Yields an excellent nutrient measuring approx. 1,500 ppm > 2.000 ppm
Azomite: Read analysis report to decide if you want to use Azomite or not. It has 66 trace ingredients. Azomite is available from Amazon.com and other sources such as sevenspringsfarm.com (best price).
Test pH, adjust to 6.5 to 7.0 for wheatgrass. General Hydroponics pH Down Dry Mix or liquid is an excellent acidifier. Baking soda will raise pH.
Once you have the right pH the wheatgrass is explosive with this formula! Most plants grow in the 5.5>6.5 pH range. In other words, you may need several pH nutrient mixes, depending on your crops. Generally 6.0 is acceptable for most crops.
I feed my crops with the Nalgene LDPE Economy Wash Bottle (from Amazon) by inserting the spout in the center of the growth or shooting straight down while making circles. The bottle eliminates splashing and delivers a steady stream where wanted.
The Milwaukee Instruments PH600AQ Ph Tester that I purchased from Amazon.com does an excellent job. For valuable crops, also purchase a pH control solution to test your meter's accuracy.
Wheat seed: Approx. 3/4oz. per 10 square inches of growing area. Use 3 4 tablespoons (liquid measure) seed for each 6" round tray. Err to the heavy side if your wheat does not have a high germination rate. In other words; adjust seed volume to germination rate of your seed. Low germination rate causes problems. See below about discarding un-sprouted husks & seed.
Sprouting. Soak 4-6 hrs. Use hydroponic nutrient solution. See Tips below about peroxide.
Feeding: When using as a grow tray, each tray will be separated (not stacked), and needs to be put into a suitable collection container to facilitate collection or reuse of the nutrient solution. I use soup bowls to catch nutrient runoff. Use about 3 ounces nutrient each feeding. 3oz. is plenty of liquid to wet the roots.
Provide nutrient as often as appropriate for the heat, humidity and crop size. The tips will lose a little color and may get droopy (depends on crop) if there is not enough water. If your tray drain holes are open and the tray is above the nutrient level it will be very hard to over-water.
TIPS: If you suspect any unsavory condition such as mold, mildew, or odors; simply turn the crop over into your hand and rinse the roots under the faucet and wash loose seed and husks away. Husks cause a lot of mold and rot slime. Replace into the tray, rearrange any awkward plants, feed it generously and watch it grow!
Homemade nutrient is so inexpensive that it is great to mix a fresh batch each planting and use the leftover nutrient on other plants. This saves a lot of monitoring and adjusting pH & EC/TDS because most sprouts and wheatgrass will be harvested within 10 days of initial soak.
CX Hydroponics has a great explanation on pH, EC, CF, PPM.
GO| cxhydroponics.net/faq (The HM COM100 Waterproof EC/TDS And Temperature Combo Meter is an excellent tool to read the EC/TDS/PPM value directly as it automatically compensates for temperature No need to consult a chart!) Customized and accurate nutrient mixes can be obtained by use of this tool.
Sunflower seed is a 'lettuce substitute" and has a high volume yield and generally an extremely high germination rate of huge, fat sprouts. 40pounds for $10 is an outstanding survival food to stock. Shelf life is for more than a year.
Wheatgrass harvest: Cut tips off top. Turn over into hand and use scissors to cut sprouts above root line, pick off any husks and weak or discolored plants. Rinse vigorously & put in a glass of water to allow capillary action to swell the blades, shake excess water off & juice, or refrigerate. Root mass can be replaced in tray and 2nd generation will grow, but not as large.
Peroxide is used as both a nutrient additive or cleaning agent that is helpful. Claims are made that the extra oxygen molecule is released, making nutrient solution better for roots & thus growth.
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This seed sprouter works surprisingly well. All the water drains quickly to the bottom and the seeds start sprouting within a couple of days. I liked it so much that I ordered a second one.Honest reviews on Victorio VKP1014 4-Tray Kitchen Seed Sprouter
I decided on this sprouter after a lot of research and have had numerous successful crops. It arrived sooner than I expected and in perfect condition. It is small and does not take up a lot of space on the counter and is easy to clean. I soak the seeds overnight before putting them in the trays. After most of the water has drained, I empty the bottom white tray and tip all 4 clear trays a bit so they sit securely on the bottom tray and they drain thoroughly ..... it looks like the Leaning Tower of Pisa. I put them in a warmer part of the house if I want them to grow faster. I have used small seed mixes like alfalfa, clover and radish and bigger ones like lentils, peas and mung and they all do well. If it is really humid, I put the smaller seeds on top and tilt the individual trays as needed to give extra air circulation. If it is hot, I give them a spritz of water between waterings. I use a toothpick to get the small seeds out of the drainage holes, but there are not a lot of them.The amount of sprouts from 4 trays is about perfect for one person who eats a lot of sprouts. I like them in all stages of growing, from 2 6 days. I need to remember to put some of them in the sun, so that I also get the benefits of the chlorophyll. I have saved so much money on sprouts in just one month and know that they are grown with good water and positive energy.
I would love to find an inexpensive source for getting seeds delivered, there is no big city very near to where I live.
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I VERY rarely review products but I think this sprouter is great enough I felt obligated. Over the years I have used at least 6 different types of sprouters ranging from a jar with a nylon or screen lid to the easy sprouter and the Sprout Master mini sprouters. I much prefer this new sprouter. I have tried alfalfa, mung beans, and several seed mixes and they have all turned out beautifully! I have found it is faster if I presoak the seeds, even the alfalfa, and they mature faster in the trays with not a sign of problems. I rinse with good water twice a day and wash the trays in the top rack of the dishwasher (mine does not have a drying cycle)and the sprouts have been wonderful. I bought a second set because I wanted extra trays and I have sprouted 6 trays at a time successfully (I have not tried more because we do not consume more than that). I have learned that unless I have some fairly well started sprouts in the top tray I prefer to put an empty tray on top and put the water into that so it does not disturb the seeds on the next tray. ENJOY!
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