From

Location

Message

Date Posted

First I would like to thank everyone who responded.I have gently removed the seed shells and all is well.The shells are very thick and I can see why filing is important.Watching some sunflower seeds come up,it seems the plant drags the seed pod up through the soil trying to remove it. Well anyway thanks!

5/9/2002 5:09:47 AM

Western Pa.

It appears that planting the seed laying down flat (as would occur in nature) works best. Most of the shells come off before the plant emerges.

5/9/2002 11:45:41 AM

Deer Park, WI

In most cases, planting the seed flat does remove the shells, as kilr stated. But here's the scary exception i experienced this morning. I used a modified version of my advanced seed starting method on my 712 Kuhn seed. I chipped the coat off the end, exposing the tip. Then laid the seed into the peat pot on its side. A few days later the seed is up and running (whew!) BUT, the seed coat did not stay behind, and had the green cotyledons clamped inside. I had to perform emergency seedling surgerey (also known as ESS in some medical circles). Of course in the process, the tender cots ripped some, leaving my prize seedling in rough shape. talk about stressful. Got my fingers crossed....

5/10/2002 2:47:01 PM

I can not believe how fast things seem to be moving along.I,m starting to wonder if I will be able to keep up with the speed at which these plants grow,I just plucked the shells off it seems, and now real leaves are starting to appear and roots are growing thru the peat pot on three of my seedlings,Little Shop of Horrors comes to mind.

5/10/2002 8:18:23 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

Seymour is a good name!!

5/10/2002 9:09:47 PM

I can hear it out there at night yelling FEED ME!

5/11/2002 4:46:14 AM