Trouble all of sudden growing alfalfa sprouts?

Question

I used to grow sprouts all the time with great success. Years have passed and I just started to grow them again with a package of seed I got from a health food store. I put them in a jar with cheesecloth on top and water them when they're dry. But the sprouts just seem to be a few days old when they start to wilt and rot. This has happened all three times I've tried it. I don't want to try it again and risk using up more seed just to have the sprouts rot again.

What am I doing wrong? This method always seemed to work for me in the past.

Answer 1

Could be a bad batch of seeds if they are not sprouting.

Just to refresh:  you need to rinse the seeds, and tip the jar to let it drain the water out and leave it that way, and keep rinsing and draining as much as you can.  Leaving a little pool of water where the seeds are sitting will rot them.  Then they will sprout and be read in about a day, then you eat them immediately -- after a few days, even if you spouted them perfectly, they are too old to eat now. They'll only last about a day after sprouted.

Answer 2

Did you sterilize your jars first? That would make a big difference.  

Answer 3

Well it might be the weather? or animals?