Tomatoville® Gardening Forums

Tomatoville® Gardening Forums (http://www.tomatoville.com/index.php)
-   Starting From Seed (http://www.tomatoville.com/forumdisplay.php?f=82)
-   -   Seed shells won't let go (http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=47138)

enchant March 29, 2018 08:26 AM

Seed shells won't let go
 
I find this happens a lot. A seedling will sprout, but the shell remains fixed onto the leaves, inhibiting them from growing. If this happens while they're under the hydration dome, I'm usually able to carefully pull them off, as they're moist enough. But once I've pulled them out from the dome, they dry hard and pulling them off usually results in pulling the head of the plant off.

Will they all ultimately fall off on their own? Is this just one of the casualties of Mother Nature, and I should just plant more so enough survive?

[IMG]http://pat.ssih.com/images/seedlings04.jpg[/IMG]

TexasTomat0 March 29, 2018 08:47 AM

Seed shells won't let go
 
Helmet heads - lick your fingers (need to be pretty wet) and gently moisten the seed shell. Wait like 5 seconds and gently try and tug it off. Once it’s soft it will come off.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

brownrexx March 29, 2018 09:02 AM

I have a small spray bottle of water. I spray it to moisten the seed coat and let it sit for a few minutes and then gently try taking it off. Usually, but not always, it works.

enchant March 29, 2018 09:05 AM

Excellent - thanks for the good info! I'll give it a try.

Labradors2 March 29, 2018 09:51 AM

Here's another idea, learned from TV a few years back. Take a small piece of plastic wrap or cut a piece from a plastic bag. Spit on it, and then hang it over the seed so that it gets nice and wet. Leave for an hour or so. This really works :)

Linda

Worth1 March 29, 2018 10:40 AM

If they have leaves growing out of them leave them alone.
thay will be fine.
Worth

carolyn137 March 29, 2018 12:33 PM

This question has been asked here at Tville many times before, and here is my answer that I give every time which one can find by doing a search here at Tville..

Take a gob of spit and put it on a small cotton ball and press it around the shell and leave it on the shell husk for about 10 minutes.

Then take a pair of tweezers and gently pull off the shell,if it doesn't come off easily,repeat again.

Saliva has many enzymes that can break down complex proteins,which are found in the seed shell and it works.

Reasons for even getting such a problem are several, seeds too old, not enough moisture that's held in the germinating,mix,etc

Hope that helps,

Carolyn

Hatgirl March 29, 2018 12:48 PM

I take a drop of water on toothpick or the end of a label, and drop it onto the shell. Wait a minute, if it still is difficult to take off I add another drop, wait minute and try again.

enchant March 29, 2018 03:16 PM

A successful shellectomy! Father and seedling are both healthy and recovering.

[IMG]http://pat.ssih.com/images/seedlings05.jpg[/IMG]

AlittleSalt March 29, 2018 03:51 PM

Take you a big hammer and threaten the helmet head. :lol:
If that doesn't work, everything written above this works well.:yes:


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:53 AM.


★ Tomatoville® is a registered trademark of Commerce Holdings, LLC ★ All Content ©2022 Commerce Holdings, LLC ★