A germination box having a container for receiving grain. A beam is arranged inside the container. Arranged on the beam is a conveyor device, in particular a worm screw, which is arranged horizontally with respect to a base and serves to load and unload the container, wherein the conveyor device is movable in a vertical direction. A plurality of turning screws, arranged vertically with respect to the base, are mounted on the beam and are operated in pairs in opposite directions in order to turn the grain. Stripping tools are mounted at an end of each of the turning screws facing towards the base. The turning screws are configured to be operated in the same directions in order to empty the germination box. The invention makes available a method for emptying the germination box according to the invention, and a method for retrofitting a germination box.