Seed coats sticking

Tomatovator · November 17, 2006

Just for fun I've been experimenting with growing some seeds as I've never done it before. I want to time exactly how long it takes for several varieties to grow from a seed to a decent sized seedling. This should give me a better idea when to start them "for real" next year. I've noticed that about 20% of the seeds I've been experimenting with have a problem with the seeds coats sticking to the cotyledons as they sprout. So far I have only managed to save one that did that. I was wondering if planting the seeds a little deeper, say 3/8" to a 1/2"would keep the seed coat wetter longer and make it easier for the cotyledons to slip out of it? Can the seed be distressed or partially split before it is planted? I've tried slipping the seed coat off with"spit" but only had success one time.

Worth1 · November 17, 2006

Planting them deeper will help drag the seed coat off as it comes up from the soil.
If you crush the little fellers before you plant them you will likely kill the things.
I have had great success getting the coats off with a steady hand good eyesight and a very small set of needle nose pliers.
Get the smallest ones you can find and squeeze the seed coat at the outer edges until it gives just a little.
You will hear it split.
Then very gently tug, not to hard or you will pull its head off.
You can also try your hand at splitting the coat off with a small sharp pointed blade.
You have to be very delicate with this if not you will end up killing the plant.

I usually have a 99% success rate with the things.
Of course some times they come out all on their own.

Worth

dcarch · November 17, 2006

I do the same as Worth1 except with tweezers.

I would also put a little drop of water on the seed to soften the coat first.

dcarch

username5 · November 17, 2006

planting deeper can do it, but so can presoaking the seed so it is soft.

It seems to just be a moisture/friction issue. Increase one or both

Tania · November 17, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcarch

I do the same as Worth1 except with tweezers.

I would also put a little drop of water on the seed to soften the coat first.

dcarch

spitting on them also helps a lot. I always hope they don't mind me doing it

November 17, 2006	#1
Tomatovator Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Pennsylvania Zone 6 Posts: 461	Seed coats sticking Just for fun I've been experimenting with growing some seeds as I've never done it before. I want to time exactly how long it takes for several varieties to grow from a seed to a decent sized seedling. This should give me a better idea when to start them "for real" next year. I've noticed that about 20% of the seeds I've been experimenting with have a problem with the seeds coats sticking to the cotyledons as they sprout. So far I have only managed to save one that did that. I was wondering if planting the seeds a little deeper, say 3/8" to a 1/2"would keep the seed coat wetter longer and make it easier for the cotyledons to slip out of it? Can the seed be distressed or partially split before it is planted? I've tried slipping the seed coat off with"spit" but only had success one time.

November 17, 2006	#3
dcarch Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: NY Posts: 2,618	I do the same as Worth1 except with tweezers. I would also put a little drop of water on the seed to soften the coat first. dcarch __________________ tomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomato matomato tomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomato matomato tomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomato matomato

November 17, 2006	#4
username5 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Zone 5 Wisconsin Posts: 117	planting deeper can do it, but so can presoaking the seed so it is soft. It seems to just be a moisture/friction issue. Increase one or both __________________ We don't inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.

November 17, 2006	#2
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	Planting them deeper will help drag the seed coat off as it comes up from the soil. If you crush the little fellers before you plant them you will likely kill the things. I have had great success getting the coats off with a steady hand good eyesight and a very small set of needle nose pliers. Get the smallest ones you can find and squeeze the seed coat at the outer edges until it gives just a little. You will hear it split. Then very gently tug, not to hard or you will pull its head off. You can also try your hand at splitting the coat off with a small sharp pointed blade. You have to be very delicate with this if not you will end up killing the plant. I usually have a 99% success rate with the things. Of course some times they come out all on their own. Worth