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germ troubles

Elsweeto

Member
My seedlings are having trouble throwing off their carapace/shell and the die off without opening it any ideas?
 

stonedar

Macro-aggressor
Veteran
easiest answer is to plant slightly deeper

but if they come up with the shell still on and don't come off within 12hr or so I spray them with water to soften them up
 
C

Classy@Home

easiest answer is to plant slightly deeper

but if they come up with the shell still on and don't come off within 12hr or so I spray them with water to soften them up
If they still stick - I use a couple of toothpicks, and GENTLY try to pry the edges loose...

A little...

GENTLY...
 

FreezerBoy

Was blind but now IC Puckbunny in Training
Veteran
Try planting seeds sideways or upside down. Forcing the sprout/shell to turn in the media will loosen the shell's grip more than if the sprout grows straight up.

I've used X-acto blades to peel shells off. Like Classy says... gently.
 
C

Classy@Home

I usually go 1/4" to 3/8" deep on peat pellets - but that's just me.

Different medium - different people - different answers...

And you figgered out the rep thang just fine - I like to rep+, not required, but the thank you goes a looong way...

Good luck...
 
soaking them in a Tot of water usually pops the seed and weakens the shell before I plant i always soak 24hrs, gets the taproot out quicker as well, :)

My 2 cents.

Namaste :joint:
 
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