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  • #1

    Seed Casings

    A few of my seedlings struggled to break free of the seed casings when they germinated. It happened to a couple of tomatoes, my solitary pepper and some of the cucurbits. I left them to it thinking nature would take it's course but had to gently pull them off when I realised they weren't going to fall off. As a result, I ended up taking the tips off the leaves on the smaller seedlings, although they still seem ok but one of the courgettes has yellow leaves and looks a bit unhappy.

    Is there a reason why this happens?
    pjh75

    We sow the seed, nature grows the seed, we eat the seed. (Neil, The Young Ones)

    http://producebypaula.blogspot.com/
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  • #2
    At a guess, I've always thought it was man overdeveloping strains of vegetables, so that they have to be cosseted from birth to death, as they couldn't survive in the wild without us any more.

    That might be complete bunkum of course but if a seed can't get rid of it's seedcase by itself, it hasn't got much chance of passing on it's genes has it?
    "Orinoco was a fat lazy Womble"

    Please ignore everything I say, I make it up as I go along, not only do I generally not believe what I write, I never remember it either.

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    • #3
      Maybe you were a bit impatient?
      They will fall off eventually, even if the second leaves are coming through before they do. I have quite a few tomatoes that look like they have bunny ears due to the seed casing still being on, but they'll fall off soon.
      If plants can grow through concrete they can outgrow casings

      unfortunately, no idea why,some reading suggests the seed casing may be too dry or not soaked before sowing, but to be honest, no definite answer.

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      • #4
        You could try misting the seed cases with water to dampen them. This makes it a bit easier for the plant to break out of them completely.

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        • #5
          Originally posted by taff View Post
          Maybe you were a bit impatient?
          Must admit I'm not known for my patience , but the courgette in particular was left with the casing on for days and it didn't seem to be going anywhere.

          Thanks for the other replies too... dampening sound like a good idea if it happens again.

          EDIT: Didn't say it in the original post, but the seed casing was keeping the 2 leaves together, I wouldn't have worried if they had seperated.
          Last edited by pjh75; 17-04-2010, 11:19 AM.
          pjh75

          We sow the seed, nature grows the seed, we eat the seed. (Neil, The Young Ones)

          http://producebypaula.blogspot.com/

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          • #6
            its happened to pretty much every one of my bell pepper seedlings (around 15 in all) , a few have managed to pop the seed off but most still have it.

            rather than the seed splitting apart the leaves have slowly been pushing it off at they grow and its pinching the leaves together at the end.

            some have became loose enough that i could slip the seed casing off but others are still on solid, if you give it time they will probably work there own way out.

            giving them a moist atmosphere so the seed casing becomes moist is suposed to help

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            • #7
              They don't always fall off without help. I usually dampen the seed coating (to be technical - I spit on my fingers and touch them to the seed case) and that usually weakens them enough to allow the leaves to push them off.
              Whoever plants a garden believes in the future.

              www.vegheaven.blogspot.com Updated March 9th - Spring

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              • #8
                I have had quite a few this year with my tomatoes, didnt have any last year. I have helped them off with my fingers if they have not fallen off after a few days, need to be careful though, broke one of my toms trying.

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                • #9
                  Originally posted by Jillyreeves View Post
                  I have had quite a few this year with my tomatoes, didnt have any last year. I have helped them off with my fingers if they have not fallen off after a few days, need to be careful though, broke one of my toms trying.
                  Happened to me with one or two Toms, leave as long as possible and if they persist staying on, give them a light misting and tease them off, but be careful you dont break a leaf...hope this helps..?..

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                  • #10
                    Originally posted by womble View Post
                    At a guess, I've always thought it was man overdeveloping strains of vegetables, so that they have to be cosseted from birth to death, as they couldn't survive in the wild without us any more.

                    That might be complete bunkum of course but if a seed can't get rid of it's seedcase by itself, it hasn't got much chance of passing on it's genes has it?
                    Yes, that's exactly what we've done - bred certain traits that make veggies tender and tasty and got rid of some, if not all their defenses in the trade off - most of our modern day vegetables would struggle to survive without us and really rely on us to grow, protect them from competition and pests etc. then save their seed and sow them again the year after Their original parents (take seakale the forebearer of brassicas for instance) would carry on regardless as they’re usually tuff as old boots and have been around for a Very long time.
                    Last edited by King Carrot; 17-04-2010, 10:47 PM.
                    Jiving on down to the beach to see the blue and the gray, seems to be all and it's rosy-it's a beautiful day!

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