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Hadley Ny

I have a single cot on a seedling with the first true leaf showing. The other cot is lower on the stem and never grew bigger than the shell. I use clear plastic cups for starting and the root system looks fine. I'm guessing it should be alright. I have backups but was wondering if anybody has experienced this and suggestions. I've germinated a couple hundred seeds and have never seen this before...only experienced growers please. Thanks T

4/23/2019 6:43:32 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

Occasionally I see this. They seem to grow OK.

4/23/2019 6:46:01 PM

Hanson Ma

From my experience which is minimal at 6 years of growing. If a seedling is questionable at all it is probably Questionable as a plant. How ever with that being said. If you only have the seedling your talking about. Or only a couple of seedlings. Plant it and do its/your best.

4/23/2019 7:49:20 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

It makes no difference unless everything else about the seedling is slow to develop. In a few weeks no one will remember the size of the cot leaves.

4/23/2019 8:27:40 PM

Hadley Ny

Healthy growth on this plant. started the seed five days ago..pushed dirt after 2 days up in 3 and 1st true leaf is already started in less than 5 days. I'll be keeping it. Didn't think it really mattered. Thanks T

4/23/2019 8:42:20 PM

Cottonwood Heights

Sorry to ride this thread. But my cots are curling a bit. One of my plants is curling a lot. Other three just a bit on one side. I thought it was too cold?

4/23/2019 9:36:13 PM

Upa Creek, Mo

In my experience a bad cot means nothing. It can be a germination issue with the actual shell, and I’ve also burnt a couple edges then that particular cot never develops. I echo Orangeneck and keep an eye on the plant in a few weeks. I’d be more concerned with the leaves after the first true leaf watching for growth rates, single leaves (no early doubles) etc

4/23/2019 9:40:27 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Cotyledons are cots..they are the stored food that provides energy to the plant. Cots are white until the photosynthesis process kicks off, and eventually fall off once the fist true leaves appear. Some are funky, Some are huge, I think what is more important is your first true leaves and root mass.

Funky cots can be caused by cold, or overly wet soil.

4/24/2019 12:59:59 PM

Hadley Ny

Germed this one with 6 others same mix and temp..have had disformed, pieces missing, etc. on the 200 I have started in the past with no side efects. Just curious about the one cot. First leaf popped at the cot.. clear plastic cup to start and root system and growth is equal to the others. I'll keep an eye on it and go from there. Thanks all for the responses. T

4/24/2019 3:06:22 PM

Morgantown, WV

My 1337 is showing this as well. I planted 5 seeds to select the best, and 2 are definitely not going to be selected because of the cotyledons. One is just weak compared to the other 4, and that happens with all seeds. One is as strong as the others, but has a really large misshapen cot, and one tiny weirder shaped cot. I believe the larger one keeping pace would pull out of it, but with 3 better shaped sprouts doing just as well, it will not be selected.

If it is your only seed of a known cross, I say go ahead with it, won't matter much once the plant starts taking off. If it is your own seeds and you have several choices, I would go for the ones without initial deformities over a gimpy cot.

I think it can be caused by many things from initial formation in the seed, to diseases that may have been present on the seed coat, to even just being stuck inside and the cot that isn't stuck steals the initial energy first. If the true leaf comes out ok, I say you're good.

4/24/2019 3:39:48 PM

Whidbey Island

I just had one with 2 curly cots and absolutely no true leaf developed. Now I will rely on my back-ups.

4/24/2019 8:23:11 PM

Cottonwood Heights

Perfect. Thanks. Seems as if it is a dumb question, but like construction it is better to bounce thoughts off of others. Well that and I still have a lot to learn. Best of luck all.

4/24/2019 11:13:52 PM