Mephisto Genetics Help - shell getting fully stuck on seeds?

[slowandeasy]

Use a pair of tweezers or a toothpick to help it off. I would avoid pulling it out of your soil. Roots are sensitive. Make a new home with a chopstick, plant it and lightly put sold around it. Use a clear cover cup for a couple of days to keep the seedlings from drying out.

 

[ThaPollinator!]

Hi all, need some help or advice...been growing over 2 years now, doing the same method, never any problems with germination, but recently, the last 2 grow attempts have been really bad, and I have no idea why. Almost every seed either dies during germination or they rise above the soil but then die due to the seed being absolutely stuck on. Using all Mephisto seeds recently. I have had many times in the past where she has opened up but the shell is stuck on the leaves - that's not what I'm talking about. I mean the shell is so stuck on, like it's glued shut, it prevents the leaves from opening up and she dies. Pics should help explain.

Usual method is soak in filtered water until they sink, then plant them in the soil. Perhaps I'm planting too shallow? But I don't think thats the case...

Can't have this keep happening, I'm only trying to get 3 plants going and so far have been through over 10 seeds! Only 2 have germinated successfully.

Cheers all!

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Hi milkmann. I'm a much greener (pun intended ) grower than you. Only been at it since March but please allow me to point you to a much better source for an answer to this problem. There is a youtube video of The Dude Grows show where Scotty Real interviews Mr Soul of Brothers Grimm Seeds (C99, Apollo 11, Rosetta Stone) and he explains that you need to plant the seed a half inch down & pointy side up and the seed will shed the shell in the soil. I had the same issue over and over earlier this year. Since I started doing this, I haven't.

He also shares the process he used for breeding C99 from a seed he found in some bud he bought in Amsterdam in the 90s to a stable strain by back crossing over succeeding generations. Very interesting stuff.

Good luck!

 

[Boveda]

Hi all, need some help or advice...been growing over 2 years now, doing the same method, never any problems with germination, but recently, the last 2 grow attempts have been really bad, and I have no idea why. Almost every seed either dies during germination or they rise above the soil but then die due to the seed being absolutely stuck on. Using all Mephisto seeds recently. I have had many times in the past where she has opened up but the shell is stuck on the leaves - that's not what I'm talking about. I mean the shell is so stuck on, like it's glued shut, it prevents the leaves from opening up and she dies. Pics should help explain.

Usual method is soak in filtered water until they sink, then plant them in the soil. Perhaps I'm planting too shallow? But I don't think thats the case...

Can't have this keep happening, I'm only trying to get 3 plants going and so far have been through over 10 seeds! Only 2 have germinated successfully.

Cheers all!

View attachment 964773 View attachment 964774

This reminds me of a comment I read recently where the grower said sometimes he just "roughs up" the shell of the seed and finds the germination rate to be much better. Could it be that the shell is just to tough sometimes?

 

[Clarky]

I had this exact same problem a couple weeks ago with either a forum stomper or avt. I took the shell off leaving a fairly thick membrane. I wet it and left it for a couple days but it still wouldnt pop. Using a loupe and tweezers I managed to peel the membrane back but still had to use a very small, sharp blade and the loupe to cut along the "mouth" of the seedling. She popped right open like a spring and its been clear sailing since. Good luck with yours.

 

[Mizzo81]

This reminds me of a comment I read recently where the grower said sometimes he just "roughs up" the shell of the seed and finds the germination rate to be much better. Could it be that the shell is just to tough sometimes?

I believe this is the case sometimes.

 

[Statgator]

This problem is 100% solvable. If you follow these steps you will rarely have this issue and you won't need tweezers.

1. Continue to do your seed soaking method but you can use regular tap water.
2. Continue to set it shallow in the soil with the tail down
3. Take a 20oz bottle cap and place it an inch or so away from the seed.
4. Cut a small piece of sponge about twice the size of the cap.
5. Soak the sponge and place it in the cap
6. Fill the rest of the cap with water.
7. Place a small clear cocktail cup over the seed and cap and sponge and press it into the soil to create a seal.

Do this for every seed you pop.

This will solve 99% of the problem. I usually leave the domes on for about 3 days.

Good luck this problem sucks.

Tom