How do I sprout gelatinous seeds like dill, flax, chia, arugula, or cress?

ANSWER                        

Gelatinous seeds, such as dill, flax, chia, arugula, or cress, form a gel-like sac around the seed in the presence of water. They get gooey, hard to manage and will not sprout using conventional methods such as a jar or tray sprouter. There are three ways to sprout gelatinous seeds:

You can sprout them in soil, or you can sprout them in a plastic tray by sprinkling them on a moist paper towel. The paper absorbs the gooey stuff and you can sprout as usual, making certain the paper towel remains damp and moist but not pooled with water. You may also try using Sure to Grow mats available at garden centers and hydroponic supply stores.

Sure to Grow mats can be used with all our different trays with no issue. You need to make sure the tray drainage holes of the plastic trays are not covered. We recommend selecting the thinnest possible pads. Be aware chia and flax are gelatinous seeds and not easy to germinate, but possible. 

We no longer recommend using terra cotta trays, as they have no drainage holes. In addition, since terra cota is porous, it may prove challenging to effectively disinfect the trays after each use.  

Depending on your needs, here are links to some Sure to Grow mat suppliers.

• Amazon.com - Smaller quantities for hobby or home growers
• Sure To Grow's Website for Commercial Quantities