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Mt. Pleasant, MI

Hi all, I've been doing some practice seed starting just to get me through till spring. On a few of them the cots have stayed curled up some and never open up fully. Is this a genetic thing, or environmental (me doing it wrong).
I soak, file, then sprout in damp paper towel inside sandwich bag at 85 degrees, then put in 4"peat pots with Jiffy seed starter.
Others come out just fine leading me to think it is genetic. I would appreciate any advice/thoughts on the subject.
Thanks.
Ron

2/8/2009 12:07:20 PM

Pataskala,OH

I think that means they need sunlight.

2/8/2009 12:09:41 PM

Joliet, IL

some start out curly and straighten themselves out, some stay curly. as long as the cots can separate far enough to get more light and allow the first true leaf to form properly, it doesn't really matter in my experience.

2/8/2009 12:20:47 PM

Mt. Pleasant, MI

I forgot to mention that they go under lights as soon as they break the surface.
Two came up and just the edges of the cots stayed curled.
One (totally different genetics) the cots curled around each other and have stayed that way for 6 days now.

2/8/2009 12:25:34 PM

Windsor, Ontario, Canada

Not that this matters for the question, but I assume you file before soaking.

What are you soaking in? Any hydrogen peroxide? Too much can cause the cots to curl. Shazzy is right though. They are only there to get that first true out, after that, they will eventually die off anyhow.

2/8/2009 1:01:41 PM

Mt. Pleasant, MI

First time I soaked in water with just a few drops of peroxide. Second time used a few drops of bleach as Pap recommended in DT2. Probably was 20/1 or less water/peroxide.
I file after soaking.

2/8/2009 2:21:09 PM

Ohio

Im not sure if this would be the exact cause of the cury cots but try a completly diffrent potting mix and tell me what you come up with. Alot of potting mix you buy has really really high Ph levels.

2/8/2009 4:43:08 PM

Germany (Bavaria)

Had alot of problems with curled cots last year due to hydrogen peroxide and bad soil. Soak in water and use the best potting soil you can get! Is there any advantage by filing after soaking? Thanks!
Raimund

2/8/2009 5:12:49 PM

Mt. Pleasant, MI

Thanks for the ideas everyone!
I have had 8 other seeds come out normally, so that is why I didn't think it would be the Jiffy seed starting mix, but I will try a different brand next time.
I can't remember where I read to file after soaking. I thought it was in DT2, but don't want to put words in Pap's mouth. Wherever it was, it didn't give a reason. Just said to file after soaking. (let a friend borrow the book, so can't check right now.)
I'm going to contact the grower privately to see if they have had similar problems with that particular seed. I only had one of that seed so I can't try it again myself.

2/8/2009 5:59:12 PM

Windsor, Ontario, Canada

I know filing is used to help the leaves break out easier, but I thought it was also to help the water get in easier too.

2/8/2009 11:38:20 PM