From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Poland

I think about how to prepare seeds to start. Is is good idea to take off coat on the seed ?

4/19/2010 1:06:37 PM

New York

Filing them should be sufficient. In my opinion, while some people do take the seed coats off, I don't think there's enough benefit to justify messing with them.

4/19/2010 3:02:15 PM

Upstate S.C.

MysticCat, You are refering to a naked germination. It does have some advantages to filing and soaking. One is that you will not have a problem with the seed coat coming off and also water will be delivered quicker to the seed. This being said, the down turn most belive is not worth it. Chance of damageing the seed is alot GREATER, some also say there is a greater chance of disease. I belive that naked germination should be done ONLY when a certain seed just will not germinate like an older seed. File and Soak is the way to go. Troop

4/19/2010 11:10:51 PM

Bristol R.I. USA

You can't beat nature. I think as growers where always looking for easier ways to grow. Give it some time and leave the seed coats on. Nature made it that way and you may damage the seed trying something else.

4/20/2010 9:44:23 AM

Pataskala,OH

AG's are anything but natural. The seed coat will not come off by itself if their is no preparation involved. If it takes longer than a day or two for seed coat to come off once germination I would carefully try to remove seed coat.

4/20/2010 2:48:00 PM

Middle TN

Im just a newbie but I had a different experience. Last year I started 12 AG seeds with no prep work at all, I didnt know any better at the time lol I just threw them in a jiffy pot of seed starter mix. Every single one came up and shed the seed coat on its own. Maybe I was just really lucky but it is possible. This year I filed and soaked :)
Tammy

4/20/2010 6:14:30 PM

Hurdland USA

I have never had a problem starting any giant seed without any prep. They have all shed their coats every time regardless the variety. IMO they should not be tampered with first off you risk damage second if they don't have to work as hard to shed the coats they won't be as strong making them less able to survive natural conditions. Natures a beep beep. High winds, heavy rain, hail, animals.

That's not too say these factors won't still get your plant as they have mine...still my opion

5/19/2010 5:09:47 PM