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New to growing your own tomatoes? This is the forum to learn the successful techniques used by seasoned tomato growers. Questions are welcome, too.

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Old March 29, 2018   #1
enchant
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Default 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?

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Old March 29, 2018   #2
TexasTomat0
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Default 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.


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Old March 29, 2018   #3
brownrexx
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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.
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Old March 29, 2018   #4
enchant
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Excellent - thanks for the good info! I'll give it a try.
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Old March 29, 2018   #5
Labradors2
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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
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Old March 29, 2018   #6
Worth1
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If they have leaves growing out of them leave them alone.
thay will be fine.
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Old March 29, 2018   #7
carolyn137
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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
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Old March 29, 2018   #8
Hatgirl
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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.
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Old March 29, 2018   #9
enchant
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A successful shellectomy! Father and seedling are both healthy and recovering.

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Old March 29, 2018   #10
AlittleSalt
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Take you a big hammer and threaten the helmet head.
If that doesn't work, everything written above this works well.
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