Seed traps emerging leaves

[Mike Vogel]

Sometimes when seeds germinate the twin leaves of the emerging seedling remain trapped by the seed, which is not cast off. Does anybody know why this happens? [I think I've read the answer somewhere, but I can't remember where or what it said.] And does it matter?

mike

[Monika]

I am afraid I don't why it happens but it usually appears when the seed husk is very dry, for instance on sunflowers. I try to gently ease them off and the seed leaves almost sigh with relief (my imagination). Presumably the strength of the leaves growing would eventually force the husk off naturally.

[Colin_M]

Hi Mike, yes this is interesting isn't it. It's happened on our peppers before, with the leaves sometimes getting quite large and still bound together at their tips by the seed case.

I've had a go at separating them sometimes and it didn't seem to hurt the seedling. Given that these initial leaves often eventually wither or become superceded by the main leaf sets, do you think it matters?

[richard p]

seen it on courgettes, usually ease them off.

[Geoff]

I usually soften them by misting then remove them by hand.

[Mike Vogel]

Misting them is a good idea, Geoff. Like you, Colin, I've usually squeezed the seed-case to release the leaves and I don't think it's done them any harm. I'm still rooting around for the explanation.

mike

[The Mouse]

Like lots of you, I give the leaves a helping hand to escape when needed. But I do remember reading that if the seed leaves get damaged, then growth of the plant will be affected. I saw this for myself last year with one of my courgette seedlings. Only one plant had damaged leaves, and it ended up half the size of the others. Interestingly, though, it still produced just as many fruits as the others!

[Johnboy]

The trapped leaves are the cotyledons which are the leaves that hold a reserve of food to the glowing plant. If these are badly damaged it means that the young growing plant will not get all the food it requires. Ultimately these leaves will wither and fall from the plant. If you only damage the very tips and, although they may look a little unsightly, the plant will be fine.
JB.