From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Nova Scotia

i'm about to start my season here and would like to try to remove the seed coat i think it would be easeir when the seed coat is wet and soft or would it cause it to stick and damage the seed?

8/28/2003 9:52:34 AM

Utah

i've only tried it on dry seeds. i've sanded the edges and then worked on it from there...
I haven't heard of anyone trying it wet...
if you think wet would be better... try it on non-important seeds. let us know how it works.

8/28/2003 10:45:05 AM

Nova Scotia

all my seeds are important to me

8/28/2003 11:51:09 AM

Brillion Wisconsin

I've only done it while the seeds were dry. Long finger nails help when your trying to chip the seeds apart. Good luck. Dean o

8/28/2003 12:26:41 PM

[email protected]

Having tried it dry, I think the wet method could work out better. Fewer broken fingernails I'll wager.

8/28/2003 1:24:50 PM

Itzetown City

Broken Fingernails? Oh you unselfish guy give all the calcium, that your nails need so bad, to the pumpkin?

8/28/2003 1:51:03 PM

Utah

get some less-important seeds.... it that better ?
...sorry for trying to help...
:P

8/28/2003 2:50:01 PM

Nova Scotia

if i get less important seeds from growers i may insult them

8/28/2003 3:17:28 PM

Sydney, Australia

Sean, we still on for our comp? Can you wait another 7 weeks? ....Ben

8/28/2003 5:23:35 PM

Syracuse, NY

okay, okay, wet is better....softer, more pliable, not sticking to the seed-leaves...if it's not obvious yet,
GO WET! i think even spraying them a little while before attempting to remove those coats would help! i use tweezers, toenail clippers, and a pair of
tweezers that are the normally-closed type..my arsenal! 'pal

8/28/2003 7:55:17 PM

Syracuse, NY

oh, yeah, that applies for when the seed has sprouted....
perhaps you're talking about before even putting into starter soil?? man, what a flashback......

8/28/2003 7:57:18 PM

Syracuse, NY

i would NEVER chip away at the seed to remove the seed coat...i wrecked a Willemse 962 seed that way...
so now i use the TOENAIL (because the curvature of the
incisors is more like that of a big AG seed!) clippers to snip very carefully away the outer edges of the seed...
except for the tip. then, the two surfaces of the seed coat, now only attached to the seed at the radicle tip, are easily pulled away, or, if the last quarter of the seed coat still remains attached to the radicle tip-area, the seed can be gently rocked and pulled outta there.
one more thing--there's a green sheath-like material that needs to be removed if it won't damage the seed....it is sorta like packing material, which does its thing, but needs to go or else the seed leaves might grow funky and get deformed....
..ohhh, i wanna try it right now! i should keep some Gerry AG seeds in my car......'pal.........and some TOEnail
clippers! lol

8/28/2003 8:05:21 PM

Manchester, N.h.

Maybe some cuticle scissors and some red nail polish in case of emergencys. For some strange reason I feel like getting a pedicure. LOL......Flora

8/28/2003 8:44:03 PM

Manchester, N.h.

All kidding aside this information really helps me out. I have a better idea of how to start my seeds for next year. I'm really envious of you MR.T, I wish my season was just starting.....Flora

8/28/2003 8:47:11 PM

Oz

ahem,,,,would you rip a child from the womb too soon?
mr t if i may..i took liquid fert,shultzs, put reccomended amount in a water bottle.
i took all my seeds and put them in the bottle.
i placed it in the sun...when they sunk...
they had enough...point down in peat/soil/sand,etc.
i had huge growth bursts. bursts and most of the seed casing was spread open.
then i helped them take off the casing.
i think it is this method that got my plants in the ground soon enough.
and i think it promotes a stronger root base.
i got five large pumpkins from five small plants.
3 est 300lbs,,,if the bugs dont get them.

8/29/2003 2:25:56 PM