Hobbies And Interests
Mongo (Mung) Seeds
Sprouting mongo seeds, or beans, involves soaking, rinsing and drying. Prepare one-third to one-half cup of mongo beans, a bowl and some water. Rinse the beans thoroughly with water. Soak cleaned beans in cool water for 8 to 12 hours, then rinse thoroughly with cool water and drain. Keep the seeds at room temperature and low lighting. Do the rinse-and-dry process every 8 to 12 hours until sprouts reach the desired height. Doing the process for two to three days produces one-fourth to one-half inch sprouts. Extending it to four to five days produces sprouts between one and three inches. The sprouts are ready 8 to 12 hours after the final rinsing.
Sunflower Seeds
This sprouting project may not yield a high number of sprouts, but its simplicity makes it accomplishable for kids. The only materials needed are raw sunflower seeds, a little soil, water and a container. Put the soil into the container and pour just enough water to make it moist. Spread the seeds on top of the soil. Monitor the seeds every few hours, making sure that the soil will stay moist. In about a week, the seeds will start sprouting.
Seed Potatoes
This experiment shows that water is not always necessary for sprouting. For this experiment, only seed potatoes, sunlight or any artificial bright light are needed. Place the potatoes in a sunny location or anywhere under a bright light. The potatoes will start sprouting after about a week. In about three to four weeks, the potatoes will most likely be fully sprouted and can be transplanted in the garden.
Avocado Seeds
This project illustrates how a seed can grow into a large plant. It involves sprouting the seed up to planting the sprouted seed in soil. The project requires an avocado seed, several toothpicks, a clear glass and some water. Wash the avocado seed. With its broad end pointing down, insert several toothpicks around the center of the seed. Place the seed in a glass of water with the broad end down; the toothpicks allow only the lower half of the seed to be covered with water. Position the glass on a sunny location and change the water every two weeks. Roots and stems will start appearing after a few weeks. When the roots are about two to three inches long, transfer the plant to a pot with soil. Water regularly. When the plant is too big for a pot, transplant it in soil.