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Massachusetts

Is it OK if the green stuff on the outside of the radicles rubs off? Is that what forms the seed leaves or do they come from inside the seed?

Thanks in advance
-Jamie

4/27/2004 5:18:04 PM

Massachusetts

Also are the seed leaves very important? Can the plant survive without them?

4/27/2004 5:51:44 PM

Wroclaw, Poland (51 N, 17 E)

Young plant - no
After some yime those leafes will just die.

4/27/2004 6:12:52 PM

Ontario, Canada.

They can get clipped and still survive. I acidentally broke both leaves in half removing the seed cover last week on one of my 190's and it is the strongest plant I have.

4/27/2004 7:22:42 PM

Syracuse, NY

the seed leaves are called the cotyledons, there are two of them. the tip of the seed which becomes the main root is called the raticle. there is only one.

the stuff that is on the outside of the cotyledons, i believe it is a sheathlike part of the entire seed that is like a little raincoat to help keep out some of the fungus or disease that may be present until the seed is saturated with water upon an attempt to germinate it. this green stuff is slippery and helps the seed to basically slide out of the seed coat, although if it doesn't stay with the seed coat and sticks to the cotyledons, it CAN become a problem, and i always strive to remove it from the cotyledons if at all possible. i hope this has helped you--good luck!'pal2

4/28/2004 5:25:11 PM

Syracuse, NY

yes, it is okay if it rubs off, but don't make a habit of rubbing it off too much! pretend it is your eyeball, it will be fine without you rubbing it! and just peel it off if one of the edges appears to be curling up away from the cotyledon.

4/28/2004 5:28:14 PM

Tipp City, Ohio

Two years ago I had a plant with only one cot leaf. It was about twice the normal size. Making up for the loss of the other leaf was my only guess on that one. Plant grew Just as nice as the others that had both cot. leaves.

4/28/2004 8:49:50 PM