New Grower Sprout won't unfurl (remove seed husk)?

[az2000]

How common is it for a newly sprouted seed to sit there with it's "helmet" on, leaves not flipping out from the middle? I germinated[1] a Northern Storm auto on 1/14. It cracked in 18 hours, and I planted in 3gal pot[2] afternoon of 1/15. It sprouted 1/16.

But, for 3 days it seems like it's not done anything. Just a partially open husk on a 1" stem. I can see some green in there, but those leaves aren't unfurling. I finally used two pins and clip-on magnifier/lupe to gently pull one half the husk off. I can definitely see nice, green leaves furled up inside.

I've germinated about 20 seeds prior to this one. I had 2-4 that seemed to stall like this. I attributed that to me placing the T5 lights too close/soon, maybe hardening the sprout. With this one, the lights are about 20" high. I also had it covered half the time with saran wrap, creating a humidity dome.

My last Northern Storm was slow to start. But, that was after the first fan leaves developed. It kind of stalled then. I presume it was developing roots in that oversize container. Maybe the same thing happening now?

Anyway, I'm just curious how normal this is? If it's a sign I'm doing something wrong? I've got a feeling I should have shaded it from the lights?

[1] I soak in 0.5% hydrogen peroxide. 1 part ordinary 3% h2o2 diluted with 5 parts RO water. I add 1/2 drop SuperThrive. ph 6.4. My seeds crack fast and 100% of the time. (I also shake them in a sandpaper-lined matchbox before soaking.).

[2] ProMix HP (60%), Kellogg Patio Plus potting mix (20%), perlite (20%), 1 tbsp dolomite per gallon soil.

I wet the soil with my soak water. And then spray the surface with a dilute Liquid Karma (1-2ml/gal). When the sprout breaks the surface, it gets a bit of spray.

 

[namvet25]

If you took half the husk off it should open soon.The seed shell on MJ is tough and this happens to a lot of us so its kind of normal.

 

[Muddy]

You may not be planting your seeds deep enough. I like to plant mine 1/2" deep, where many only go 1/4". I find that extra time under the soil allows the seed husk to stay moist and is pushed off a lot easier. Once the seedling breaks the soil and the husk is still attached, it dried out and it's a lot harder for the seedling to push it off. Mist them with some water to soften them up and use tweezers to gently remove the husk.

 

[Chankry]

Ah great advice Muddy, I have the same problem with germination....honestly it should be a simple step but it is the biggest problem for me.

 

[az2000]

You may not be planting your seeds deep enough.

That sounds like what I did. I remember I planted about 1/2" deep, but lightly covered it. It was more like a couple pieces of peat and perlite creating "shade." Not pressed in, and solid contact around the seed. (Not that I would compact the soil around the seed. But, it was mostly air on top of the seed.).

I'm worried the 4-5 days it is spending with a stuck helmet is consuming the finite days of its lifecycle. That it's setting back the plant's development and will cost me some yield.

Oh well. Every grow I learn something new.

 

[Panic]

You may not be planting your seeds deep enough. I like to plant mine 1/2" deep, where many only go 1/4". I find that extra time under the soil allows the seed husk to stay moist and is pushed off a lot easier. Once the seedling breaks the soil and the husk is still attached, it dried out and it's a lot harder for the seedling to push it off. Mist them with some water to soften them up and use tweezers to gently remove the husk.

I had to do the exact same thing. It worked, very tedious though, worse case wet it and let it go another day instead of trying to brute force it off