From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Canada

I just pulled some of my seeds out the envalopes they were packaged and sent to me in, I have choosen my seeds for this years grow season and just wanted to take a look at the seeds. Well a few of the larger seeds have developed some very large cracks ( in the shell ) which goes right into the seed itself almost looks like the innards expanded causeing the shells to crack. My question is are these seeds still good? what caused this? and will it have any effect on the plant itself if they do germinate?

thanks

Dave

4/16/2005 8:21:45 PM

Connecticut

As seeds dry they contract. The shells of tan seeds are rigid & sometimes crack. The embryo inside is probably fine so no worries if they're planted soon. However cracked seeds won't store al long.
Those same cracks that can lose moisture over time also let it in better. Thus filing should be less important.

4/16/2005 10:30:44 PM

Canada

Thanks, Ya looking into the crack It doesnt seem to have effected the embroy, Seeds will be germinated within the next 2 weeks so hopefully they are still ok as they have been kept sealed and in the cool front closet since fall.

Dave

4/17/2005 2:30:02 PM

Webster, NY

I think your seed will be fine, but you might want to start a backup just in case. I was just looking at a couple of the seeds I was going to start as back ups. They felt light and looked funny. I opened them up and they were hollow inside. You just never know.

Good luck this year
Dave

4/17/2005 8:41:27 PM

Syracuse, NY

you will find over the years that all seeds can have these cracks in them, even ones from auctions and therefore top growers. they are unavoidable sometimes. yeah, i guess they could cause shorter shelf lives, never thought about that before....do not worry about it or allow it to change your lineup. you will even see some that make the seed look like a souffle' (sp?) and even some cracks that are across the WIDTH of the seed---those worry me because stresses of handling and examining while still in the seed packet are more likely to break the seed....doesn't happen as often as longitudinal ones, thank goodness! eric

4/19/2005 1:21:14 AM