SEEDS!!!

[Doll]

That is a common occurrence for me. I just let the seed coat eventually get pushed off as the leaves get bigger. Here is a pic of some Frappuccino seedlings that recently sprouted.

[Darkhorse]

Oh, good!  Thanks John!

[Darkhorse]

And then there were two!  Well...  sort of...


Another germination question because I worry too much and can't wait a day or two to see what will happen:  I noticed sprout #2 just under the soil today.  Its leaves are sort of a yellow green when compared to the other.  It hasn't stood up on it's own yet and just seems to be sitting there.  Is this normal as well?  Do they sometimes take a day or two to stand on their own?

I realize this is a silly question that will answer itself with time, but I'm just so stoked to have new "babies" of my own!

[Charlie]

Jordan, not all seeds germinate and survive, that's just part of it you get used to, reluctantly.

One thing that happens that is frustrating is that the developing root gets trapped inside the seed coat and cannot get out. This is more common with nicked seeds due to the hard seed coat of seeds that have been stored. Since the root is unable to grow and penetrate moist soil the seedling just withers away without growing. It only takes a few days for this to kill a seedling but if you spot it in time you can sometimes free the root without damaging it and then the seedling will be able to develop normally.

You can always investigate what is happening if you do it carefully and gently so as not to damage the seedling. Sometimes it is obvious what is wrong but sometimes you can't tell. Damping off, a fungal disease, kills many small seedlings. Good air circulation, not overwatering, and fungicides help with this problem.

Charlie

[Darkhorse]

Charlie, that's exactly what happened.  The root was trapped in the seed coat.  I did free it with little effort and placed the root back into the soil.  Hopefully it's not too late.  Not looking good, though.

[Darkhorse]

It lived!  The sickly little seedling has turned green and is growing.    Thank you Charlie!

[Ernest]

Way to go Jordan!

Erny

[Charlie]

Nice going, Jordan! Turning green is a very good sign.

Charlie

[Darkhorse]

Here they are today!  The seedling on the right was the one with its root stuck in the seed coat.  It already seems to be showing faster growth than its sibling on the left.  It has caught up to and passed the other in size, despite its near-death experience.  The left seedling is 10 days old; the one on the right is 8 days old. 

[GloriaMik]

I'm a newbie at growing hibiscus.  What does it mean to "nick" a seed?  Also, I've never seen a seed pod on my 6+ foot hibiscus tree.  Where do they grow on the plant? 

[davidwood]

I'm a newbie at growing hibiscus.  What does it mean to "nick" a seed?  Also, I've never seen a seed pod on my 6+ foot hibiscus tree.  Where do they grow on the plant? 

Hi Gloria, if you where to gently pull of a spent bloom, or just wait till the bloom falls off you would see a small pod, should there be seeds to develop that pod would slowly get bigger.

Hibiscus seeds are very hard and can take forever [unless fresh] to germinate, so people nick them [so as water can easier penetrate], a very sharp knife to just take a little bit of the hard coating off. If you where to do it try to nick the seed at the fatter end.