How to grow peanut sprouts? A detailed guide to the latest growing methods
Peanut sprouts are a food that doubles as a dietary remedy. They can be eaten raw and are also especially rich in nutrients. Their energy, protein and crude fat content ranks first among all kinds of vegetables, and they are rich in vitamins, potassium, calcium, iron, zinc and other minerals as well as various amino acids and trace elements needed by the human body. They have very high growing prospects. Now let us take a look at the growing methods for peanut sprouts!
Growing preparation
1. Variety: Choose small-seeded peanut varieties, and use new seeds from the current year that are plump, uniform in size, undamaged, with strong germination vigor and a high germination rate.
2. Site: Peanut sprout production has relatively strict requirements for temperature and humidity conditions and generally does not need light, but it requires fresh and smooth air. An idle living room or an old vacant room can be used.
3. Container: Foam boxes of various specifications can be used. Generally, choose a box 60 cm long, 40 cm wide and 25 cm high. The bottom of the box must be flat and have drainage and ventilation holes.
Sowing methods
1. Seed selection: Use new seeds from the current year, preferably small-seeded white-skin peanut varieties, and choose seeds that are plump, uniform in size, intact and undamaged, with a germination rate above 95%.
2. Soaking seeds: Soak the selected seeds in clean water for 12-24 hours so that the seeds fully absorb water and swell. Then remove the seeds, rinse them 2-3 times with clean water, and then proceed to germination.
3. Germination: Germination should be carried out in seedling trays. Sow the soaked seeds directly in the trays, then stack the trays to germinate. The temperature should preferably be 22-25°C.
4. Sowing: Clean and disinfect the growing container, then place the germinated seeds in the tray. Sow about 500 grams per seedling tray, but arrange them in a single layer and do not pile them up.
Growing management
1. Removing seeds: 2-3 days after sowing peanuts, when the sprouts have grown to 1 cm, remove all the seed kernels that have not sprouted.
2. Temperature: The suitable temperature for peanut sprout growth is 18-25°C. In summer, spray more water to cool them down, and in winter, strengthen insulation.
3. Watering: Water 3-4 times daily, preferably with clean well water. The amount of water should be enough to wet all the sprouts and soak the substrate through.
4. Light: During cultivation, the room should remain dim and no light should be allowed, otherwise the peanut sprouts will turn green, affecting their appearance and taste.
5. Harvesting: Under normal growing conditions, from sowing to harvest takes 7-8 days in summer and autumn, and 8-10 days in winter and spring.