Problems Sprouting Soybeans
I've sprouted mung beans (many times) and a few other seeds successfully. I understand the process well. I've now tried sprouting soybeans a number of times but I can't make it past soaking.
After soaking them overnight, I found the beans were soft almost to the point where I could mash them between thumb and finger. Most of the skins had come loose which I expected but quite a few beans had also separated into halves. The first time, I carefully picked through them, trying to remove obvious non-sproutable ones. After the first rinsing, it was hopeless and I tossed them. I bought fresh beans at a different places thinking it might've been a fluke but the same thing happened.
I got thinking and wonder if the soybeans may have been heat treated to prevent sprouting. Monsanto has GMO soybeans but I have no idea if the majority of soybeans sold in stores are theirs. Monsanto zealously guards their products by legal means and it made me wonder if they also guard against consumers growing their seeds by heat treating, in this case at least.
Has anyone an idea if that might be the reason I can't get beyond the soaking stage? If so, I'll buy some non-GMO soybeans from a health food store. If anyone has had success, please let me know. I've bought soybean sprouts from a Chinese market before but the closest one that sells them is at least an hour drive away.
Best Answer
Doing some further searching and reading, it seems soybeans are heat treated to prevent sprouting. How much Monsanto has to do with this, I don't know. They are the main suppliers of non-organic soybeans.
Next time I visit my Vietnamese grocer, I'll check if they have soybeans specifically meant for sprouting.
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Quick Answer about "Problems Sprouting Soybeans"
- Cold soil temperatures.
- Excess soil moisture.
- Inadequate soil moisture.
- Soil crusting.
- Improper seeding depth or uniformity.
- Poor seed-to-soil contact.
- Insect feeding and disease infestations.
Why are my soybeans not sprouting?
If your beans do not sprout well, try another supplier or variety. Large beans sprout better in cooler temperatures. Keep sprouting beans around 68-70\xb0F, if possible. Large beans require a longer soaking period and more frequent rinsing and draining, especially in warmer temperatures.What affects soybean germination?
Planting into a moist seedbed with good seed-to-soil contact is important for optimal germination. Temperature, moisture, oxygen, and soil conditions within the seed zone can affect soybean germination and emergence.How long does it take for soy beans to sprout?
It commonly takes a soybean seed about two days to germinate. The plant doesn't emerge from the ground until about one week after planting. Each plant can produce up to 80 pods and about 160-200 seeds per plant.What is the problem with soybeans?
Industrial soybean crops need large amounts of acid-neutralizing lime, as well as synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides, all of which are creating an environmental hazard. Toxic chemicals from soy production contaminate the forest, poison rivers, destroy wildlife and cause birth defects in humans.Soybean Emergence and Germination Common Issues
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