Drag off those seed husks:- with course grit & sand.

michael johnson · March 17, 2006

After doing a bit of experimenting, and getting more and more frusterated with seeds coming up with the seed husk still there, I decided to experiment with various composts.

Fine grade mixes usualy give the best germination rate- but also the worst seed husk attached rate. so after a while I decided after trial and error to top dress my starter trays with a thin layer of course grit and sand and that seemed to do the trick- without altering the germination rate.

It seems that they need something a bit heavier to drag on when emerging to grip the seed husk and pull it off whilst they pull the two seed leaves out and straighten up,

As a matter of interest you never seem to see stuck seed husks on volunteer seedlings in the garden soil , as this seems to work on the same principal,

Most of he commercial mixes a too light for them to drag the husk off properly.

March 17, 2006	#1
michael johnson Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: UK. Posts: 960	Drag off those seed husks:- with course grit & sand. After doing a bit of experimenting, and getting more and more frusterated with seeds coming up with the seed husk still there, I decided to experiment with various composts. Fine grade mixes usualy give the best germination rate- but also the worst seed husk attached rate. so after a while I decided after trial and error to top dress my starter trays with a thin layer of course grit and sand and that seemed to do the trick- without altering the germination rate. It seems that they need something a bit heavier to drag on when emerging to grip the seed husk and pull it off whilst they pull the two seed leaves out and straighten up, As a matter of interest you never seem to see stuck seed husks on volunteer seedlings in the garden soil , as this seems to work on the same principal, Most of he commercial mixes a too light for them to drag the husk off properly.