Growing Popcorn Microgreens

[Dragon]

Popcorn kernels, when soaked and then rinsed and drained twice daily for 2-3 days, grow roots which can be planted on a hydroponic tray system or compost. They soon grow 'shoots', which are greens that are similar in shape to grass, and are high in chlorophyll (which is powerful in its energising and detoxifying effects) and vitamins A, B, C and E. They also contain minerals including calcium, magnesium, potassium and phosphorous. In trace amounts, pantothenic acid is also found in these shoots.

Here, yellow popcorn is used, but any corn (including field seed used to grow the full size corn plant) or popcorn seed can be used. The blue, red, purple and white kernels produce greens which taste slightly different.

 

[pepper]

That is interesting, I've often wondered if popcorn would sprout but never tried.

 

[Dragon]

Yellow popcorn is soaked in filtered water for 8 hours in a glass jar - a sprouting jar (with a lid for easy rinsing and draining) is used here.

 

[pepper]

So when you eat the sprouts you just eat them like been sprouts? If you can post a pic when they are ready to eat that would be awesome. I'd like to try these, I love edible sprouts of all kinds.

 

[oneeye]

Popcorn kernels, when soaked and then rinsed and drained twice daily for 2-3 days, grow roots which can be planted on a hydroponic tray system or compost. They soon grow 'shoots', which are greens that are similar in shape to grass, and are high in chlorophyll (which is powerful in its energising and detoxifying effects) and vitamins A, B, C and E. They also contain minerals including calcium, magnesium, potassium and phosphorous. In trace amounts, pantothenic acid is also found in these shoots.

Here, yellow popcorn is used, but any corn (including field seed used to grow the full size corn plant) or popcorn seed can be used. The blue, red, purple and white kernels produce greens which taste slightly different.

Can you post a photo of the greens?

 

[Dragon]

That is interesting, I've often wondered if popcorn would sprout but never tried.

Yes, they do sprout. The popcorn kernels, when roots have grown, are not usually used for eating as a 'sprouted seed', but rather for bird feed. This is the same with field corn seeds, as they are crunchy and tough. They still can be eaten though.

 

[Dragon]

So when you eat the sprouts you just eat them like been sprouts? If you can post a pic when they are ready to eat that would be awesome. I'd like to try these, I love edible sprouts of all kinds.

The kernels, when roots have grown, are transferred to a growing tray (either a soil/compost container or hydroponic tray). The roots embed themselves into the soil or holes in the hydroponic tray, when they are sprayed with water daily, so they can absorb nutrients.

'Shoots', chlorophyll containing greens which have a similar shape to grass when at their harvestable size, then emerge from the other side of the kernels. The stem grows first, and then the green grows upwards, out of it - both the stem and green are edible.

The sprouted popcorn kernels themselves are edible, but, because of their crunchy and hard texture, are (similar to sprouted field corn seed) more often used for bird feed.

 

[Dragon]

After absorbing the water, 8 hours later, the popcorn kernels have increased in size and can germinate. The jar is then emptied of its water, so the seeds can be rinsed and drained 2-3 times. It is then placed in a warm location out of direct contact with sunlight, so that the growth can start.

 

[Dragon]

To continue growing, the seeds need moisture. The jar is rinsed and drained 8-12 hours later (this process is repeated until a 'root' appears on them).

 

[Dragon]

With continued sprouting in a jar, most of the kernels now have a small white root and a 'shoot'.

 

[Dragon]

At the next rinse, all of the germinated seeds have a substantial root which can easily fit into the holes of the hydroponic tray.

 

[Dragon]

A hydroponic growing tray that consists of a base (which contains the water), a second tray (with holes for the seeds' roots to absorb the nutrients from the water) and a cover tray (to keep light out and maintain warmth when the stems are forming) is used here.

The tray is filled with filtered water, until it reaches the surface of the second tray (with holes). The sprouted popcorn kernels are spread on top of the second tray.

 

[Dragon]

The roots can easily fit into the holes of the second tray and absorb the nutrients from the water.

 

[Dragon]

One day later, the kernels' roots have entered the holes, and the stems have grown upright.

The stems are in the direction of their growth (upwards) at this stage, so each day their is going to be significant growth. Every morning, the tray is emptied of its water which is replaced with fresh filtered water.

These plants are already photosynthesising. After changing the water, the third tray is used again to cover them and maintain the warmth before the shoots emerge.

 

[Dragon]

After another 24 hours at room temperature, the stems are about 5cm high and some are already showing shoots. The third (cover) tray can now be removed so that light can enter and the greens photosynthesise.