Seed husk stuck on seedling? Very old seed

[alvin88]

So I was gifted 12 seeds that were approximately 20yo. I pre-cracked 2 of them and placed all 12 in a paper towel. The next morning the 2 were already showing tails, and none of the rest were. So I pre-cracked all the rest of them, and got 9 out of 12 to sprout. I was very happy with the results thinking I'd be lucky ro get 1.

However 4 of the seedlings after breaking surface of the soil, were unable to shed their husk/shell. I tried manually removing one but broke the seedling, so I let the other 3 go but they were unable to shed the shell and ended rotting right there

Any methods or tricks for helping old seeds power through the shell and start growing cotyledons? Also I just gave them ph'd tap. Was thinking I should have used mycos or something to help give them a boost.

 

[troutman]

I've peeled of shells off old seeds. Sucks, but sometimes it's that or nothing.
The moral of the story is to not go more than 10 years before germinating.

 

[Kid Twist]

you canscuff the seams of the seeds before planting that way they are not so "glued" shut and it helps them pop open a bit easier. alot of times you may need to pry the shell open just a little

 

[alvin88]

I've peeled of shells off old seeds. Sucks, but sometimes it's that or nothing.
The moral of the story is to not go more than 10 years before germinating.

I'll have to be prepared more next time with 2 pairs of tweezers. My fingers were not capable of that delicate job.

 

[troutman]

I've used a magnifying glass, tweezers, a needle and even a new
single fishing hook to become a seed surgeon when needed.

 

[BOMBAYCAT]

After I broke off the head of a seedling, I started using the back part of the spoon in back of the seedling and a needle to pick off the husk.

Is there a commercial seed cracker?

 

[acespicoli]

If your seed opens after 24 hours
and stalls for three days
remove shell and pull the placenta off your embryo
Or it will most likely rot...

Some strains stall and thats the only way to get closer to 100% success

 

[FletchF.Fletch]

When they sprout wearing the shell like a helmet, you can use a spray bottle filled with water to remove them sometimes. Adjusting the nozzle to spray a stream/jet of water., and aiming at or from beneath the seed. Water will break them free usually as it is Nature's way. Tweezers, Exacto Blade also works.

 

[alvin88]

@BOMBAYCAT I heard someone was making a 3d printed one. I'm sure it'd be easy to make one too, I was thinking a small thread clamp might work.

@acespicoli that is exactly what happened.

@FletchF.Fletch I like the spray idea. That certainly seems gentler than whatever I did with my fingers

 

[gorilla ganja]

Like @FletchF.Fletch said, water helps. Spay them and let them sit a few minutes before surgery.
Try first to pry the shell open, with something on both sides of shell will help to prevent too much damage.
Best of luck

 

[Kimes]

For old seeds europeans can get seed crackers easily from cannapot it think

otherwise a micrometer would do the trick but costs more..

For those stubborn husks that won't drop I have had great success with tweezers and cool nerves

 

[goingrey]

It happens quite often. Strain dependent too, not just seed age.

No tools are needed (except a finger and and an opposable thumb). Hold the stalk/cotyledons and gently pull it off. A squeeze of the husk can help.

A couple of plants I've killed being too heavy handed but usually it's fine. Even if there's some damage it's usually fine. Just a couple days ago I did this and accidentally ripped off half a cotyledon, still made it.

 

[Kimes]

It happens quite often. Strain dependent too, not just seed age.

No tools are needed (except a finger and and an opposable thumb). Hold the stalk/cotyledons and gently pull it off. A squeeze of the husk can help.

A couple of plants I've killed being too heavy handed but usually it's fine. Even if there's some damage it's usually fine. Just a couple days ago I did this and accidentally ripped off half a cotyledon, still made it.

View attachment 18987507

I've had my fair share of those and all survived, even when the other cotyledon was missing