Microgreens | Sunflower Without Hulls

[@KeepOnGrowin]

Thanks Brent, like a lot of people here I was always wondering the same thing. Good experiment, I love this crowd sourced testing and sharing environment. keep it up!

[@C3Voyage]

Thanks Mike. I enjoy the sharing part very much as well. :O)

[@jewelakagem2553]

I love seeing your experiments (saves me from doing it LOL)!

[@C3Voyage]

LOL. Thanks. I enjoy experimenting including the fails. :O)

[@stormvent2572]

Thanks a lot for these experiments.

[@ltlbnsgarden]

Great experiment. Glad you did it, it was great information 😊

[@C3Voyage]

:O)

[@bigd7861]

It was a very successful learning experience!

[@thehurricane218]

You are the best sprouter/microgreens man on youtube. Looks like you need dirt for shell less seeds. I cannot thank you enough. Have you ever thought about doing mushrooms?

[@C3Voyage]

Maybe. I don't grow micros in it, but someone might. I've not even considered it likely 'cause I'm not exposed to anyone doing it. Is it difficult?

[@thehurricane218]

Hydroponic Gardening & More with Brent its more difficult than greens but the money is better. I know you can do it brah. You can grow everything. You have a green thumb.

[@C3Voyage]

@@thehurricane218 Thanks so much. :O)

[@StevieWonders2020]

WHAT is your "antifungal'----ingredients? or can we use weak vinegar & water?

[@C3Voyage]

Not a problem. Search my channel for antifungal. I have a video on it including ingredients.

[@terrykingsallotmentgardening]

Thankyou Brent, nice to try. 🌱Happy Gardening my friend, Terry.

[@C3Voyage]

Thanks Terry. :O)

[@waynestamand2738]

Funny, I too have trouble with sunflower seeds. I was going to try again when I open my greenhouse up next month, but might give up on sunflower sprouts.

[@C3Voyage]

Wayne, don't give up on Sunflowers with hulls. They're pretty easy. These aren't. If you tell me some issues, I'd be happy to chat about it. Anyway, the offer's there buddy.

[@bullshoalsblues]

Good try! I'm having trouble getting a good stand of sunnies (regular hulled) without media like you did, so I'm going back to using a media for now. Thanks for putting this up, Brent!

[@C3Voyage]

I'm sorry to hear that! You do you.

[@bonniehoke-scedrov4906]

Love your experimental spirit; so much to learn! Which anti-fungal do you use, please?

[@C3Voyage]

Thanks! kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpLXlWqVmd6JhNU for antifungal.

[@thefaeryman]

true leaf has these, but have been concerned with mold with storage

[@C3Voyage]

Yes I know, however, they say: "They work well for sprouting if you want to eat the whole sprout. If you want to grow sunflower greens in soil you should use sunflower in the shell (black oil)." I think that's correct as well. I am considering one more grow, but not like this one John.

[@chuckwagon7171]

Hey brent, any improvement on the tomatoes in the fawn 2.0?

[@C3Voyage]

Yes, improvement. But, I'm not sure of the cause yet. I'm going to do a follow-up video focusing on the spots and whatever I find out.

[@dexxxxxxxx]

Why my pakchoi are growing skinny and one sided inclined? Even after 2 days of sunlight they didn't standing up properly using coco media..

[@C3Voyage]

Leaning often means searching for light. Put outside for a few hours and see if they straighten. If not, might be die-off and that could be anything. I've never used coco so can't help there.

[@ToddLarsen]

Great experiment👍 I had wondered in the past if hulled seeds would sprout. I was surprised to see that you got some of them to do so, I could only imagine the smell lol thanks fur sharing and as always Keep Building.

[@C3Voyage]

Yep, the smell and lack of roots killed it for me. Oddly, there was zero result on the medium, but some hint of possibility on no-medium.

[@kingsburycrafts]

Do you mind sharing what do you use as an antifungal spray? I've been following you for a couple of years and must have missed it..? Thanks for all the great information!

[@C3Voyage]

Sure and thanks! kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpLXlWqVmd6JhNU

[@michaelwould]

Hey!@ I know you mentioned what your anti fungal was in another video, did you say it was bleach +water or Hydrogen Peroxide? was thinking about using this myself even though I have not had Mold I had a batch of seeds go "Sour" or "rot" instead of germinate, so I wonder if this would have prevented it.

[@C3Voyage]

The antifungal spray I use has neem, oregano oil, and potassium bicarbonate. Here's the video on specifics: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpLXlWqVmd6JhNU

[@DonaDavis]

Thanks for doing this for me. You've saved me some time, effort and cash. I wonder what would happen if you used soil. I think they would have a better chance of germinating. Try it . As for me, I am going to use the shelled seeds because I know it's a sure thing. I don't mind the hulls because it's just part of the process, plus I can charge more when I sell my crops.

[@C3Voyage]

I tried it in my grow medium. It's in this video towards the end. I believe it would behave the same as any soil or potting mix and just rot. Hulls is the way to go.

[@C3Voyage]

I've gotten much better at growing microgreens. So consistent, pristine, and with massive harvests based on some changes I made that really set things off. I decided to write a how-to book on it: amzn.to/2ZZdkJb.

[@PepeFassos]

You never know until you go !! Cheers mate for your efforts . I have been pondering a try at this. Maybe ill just roast them - eat them with some salt 😉

[@C3Voyage]

Yeah! Or top some ice cream...vanilla. :O)

[@VickiTakacs.]

Why would you soak them at all when they have no hulls?

[@C3Voyage]

To start the germination process. They're dry.

[@VickiTakacs.]

@@C3Voyage All seeds are dry. Did you try them without soaking them first? The reason that seeds are soaked is because of that hull or because they have a very tough outer skin. Some file them. Not necessary if there is no hull and you get mold issues.

[@C3Voyage]

@@VickiTakacs. You're wanting to debate and I don't debate. I share what I do and I'm good at what I do. Forgive the length of the post, but I want you to know my experience. And, you can look at my videos for supportive proof. Please watch this entire video. To your question, "Did you try them without soaking them first?" Yes, in this video towards the end. No germination. The problem with no-hull sunflowers is that the seed is mostly dead either by removing the protective hull or in the manufacturing process. When seed is dead and gets wet, they immediately begin to rot. I tried two lots from two sources. Scarification isn't done with microgreens normally. If you know someone who does scarification with micros, shoot me a link. Yes, I've tried it, but none I've seen have. In my very extensive germination trials of most micros which I did for the purpose of the book, I learned so much. To start with, don't assume what's best for getting a good even grow with any seed, test it. If soaking isn't required, don't. If soaking is required, do. I learned how long to soak, with most seed, based on actual trials. How does a grow look like when seed is soaked for 12 hours? 24-hour soak? 36 hours, etc? Btw, soaking is a form of priming. I talk about this in the book. I've also tested many methods to break mother nature's barriers and timing mechanisms. Scarification is one, and yes, I've tried it with spinach, chard, and beet because they are so difficult no matter what you do. Also tried many methods based on ag research studies including acids, lighting, cold stratification, and more. Some priming methods require soaking with a follow-up drying period of up to seven days before planting. It's a common practice for planting grass seed for even germination. Yep, soak and then completely dry again before wetting to continue the germination process. It works. I've tried lots of micro seed with this form of priming. It ever so slightly improves germination in some types of seeds. You can easily grow any seed soaked for 12-hours. They all grow well. The problem with it is it's an unnecessary step for most seed only because they sprout quickly and evenly anyway. Mold (fungus) and disease is not related to soaking. They are external spores in the environment IF you have clean seed. In fact, several of my priming methods, mentioned in the book, fight the fungal spores that actually arrive on the seed hulls. Sunflowers are notorious no matter where you get them. My 10 & 2 soak gets rid of it in side-by-side trials using the same lot number seed from two different well-known companies. So, soaking (priming) isn't bad. It's a very powerful tool for success when growing micros. With it, however, you begin to drown the seed after 24 hours which is why I only soak half that. Soaking tolerance differs from seed-to-seed. Again, from many trials. So, to sum up, for me, and to address your comments: Yes, tried them without soaking; in video. Soaking is awesome and used to ensure even germination and a consistently productive grow in some seed. Some seed, it's just an unnecessary step.

[@VickiTakacs.]

@@C3Voyage I don't want to debate either and that was not my intention. I genuinely wanted to know. I thought at the end you tried without soaking but wasn't sure. Some seed, soaking kills it. I tried Calendula and it would not germinate after soaking. Took me 3 times and on the 3rd I did not soak. Everything else, I soaked but this was not micro greens. Am I correct in understanding that the oil on the hull can become rancid if the seed is not continually shaken and washed in a jar? Also, why are you still using bird seed if you can't get them to sprout? Which is true? The video or the comment because they both cannot be true.

[@C3Voyage]

​@@VickiTakacs. I'd suggest if you want to know why I do something, simply ask. If you try and correct someone before they answer, it can upset some folks creating a defensive posture and unproductive conversation. I call folks that do this right-fighters. I only speak from what I've actually experienced or tested. Otherwise, I lose my integrity and that's very important to me. I never want to steer someone wrong and I don't regurgitate common assumptions. I'm hoping we can come to an understanding which is why I'm still chatting with you. So, to answer your comments: Every microgreen seed I've soaked does well, but I've not tried lettuce, carrot, or celery and other very tiny seed so I'm unsure on them. If their germination was poor, I would've soaked them in an attempt to improve it. I watched this video again in an attempt to get to the second part of this latest comment and I noticed that I tried soaking for just 4 hours too after the first attempt at 14 to 16 hours mentioned. It's consistent with my trialing techniques. So, 12-hour soak, 4-hour soak, and no soak in this video only--3 different tries. Hull oil? All soaked seed are rinsed. It's part of the process for me. No washing. All plants contain oils in their structure and it hasn't been an issues for me yet. This last part of your comment, you essentially say I'm not telling the truth and it's disguised as a question. It really doesn't bother me, but my suggestion is to just ask the question without the rest or give more details where I say something contrary. You say, "Also, why are you still using bird seed if you can't get them to sprout? Which is true? The video or the comment because they both cannot be true." I was going to take guesses at what you're speaking to, but I'll let you clarify first. I will answer your first question: I didn't use bird seed and all three grows were unsuccessful.

[@brengolio]

It's weird that you did the experiment, because I was just recently wondering if they could be used as microgreens

[@C3Voyage]

It had been mentioned a couple times to me and I was surely hopeful it could be done.

[@celtickitc]

What anti fungal?

[@C3Voyage]

Here's the video. I'm going to add a link at the end of the video and put it in the description as well. Thanks! kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpLXlWqVmd6JhNU

[@kevinbradleygardeningandou9767]

Thanks for sharing, good information. :-)

[@C3Voyage]

You bet. Better to know I think. :O)

[@trollforge]

I was just thinking about testing shelled sunflower seeds yesterday as I was planting seeds for #SunflowerChallenge2018...

[@C3Voyage]

Maybe you can do better than me. Let me know if you do. I'm trying it again slightly different. All fun stuff.

[@trollforge]

Hydroponic Gardening & More with Brent if I do it I will be doing it with my own saved seed I was actually sitting down in my green room with a dry Flower head in one hand the pair of wire cutters in the other, thinking of clipping off the shells. That that video May yet be coming.

[@richiegriggs4230]

No go😊 thanks for the info

[@C3Voyage]

:O)

[@MidwestGardener]

Well, you never know till you try.

[@C3Voyage]

That's right buddy. :O)

[@ANDY-Mandy]

You water too much, you could get a better result if you'd less water down. Also you don't have any nutrients in your growing medium whether soil or water, that also effects the result.

[@C3Voyage]

This was a while back. I've perfected growing micros hydroponically and wrote two books on it. Sunflowers do not grow without hulls. If they do, share your knowledge of how by linking a successful grow. Thanks.

[@leroybrownie9188]

Omg. Stop drowning the seeds, lol. That was painful to watch.

[@C3Voyage]

Lol. I'm quite good at what I do now. Take a look at my microgreens playlist. I do understand your thoughts on it though. kzbin.info/aero/PLyTv0Nr3KOXlcStKUQ53hU9FumuypyIit