Seed shells won't let go

enchant · March 29, 2018

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?

TexasTomat0 · March 29, 2018

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

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

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

Labradors2 · March 29, 2018

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

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

**carolyn137** · March 29, 2018

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

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

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

AlittleSalt · March 29, 2018

Take you a big hammer and threaten the helmet head.

If that doesn't work, everything written above this works well.

March 29, 2018	#1
enchant Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 142	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?

March 29, 2018	#2
TexasTomat0 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Central Texas - Zone 8A Posts: 196	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

March 29, 2018	#7
carolyn137 Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Upstate NY, zone 4b/5a Posts: 21,169	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 __________________ Carolyn

March 29, 2018	#3
brownrexx Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Southeastern PA Posts: 1,420	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.

March 29, 2018	#5
Labradors2 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Ontario Posts: 3,894	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

March 29, 2018	#6
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	If they have leaves growing out of them leave them alone. thay will be fine. Worth

March 29, 2018	#8
Hatgirl Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Ireland Posts: 211	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.

March 29, 2018	#10
AlittleSalt BANNED FOR LIFE Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 13,333	Take you a big hammer and threaten the helmet head. If that doesn't work, everything written above this works well.