Was wondering if anybody else has started any cannabis seeds by removing the seed shell first?
Starting Cannabis seeds without the shells on
- Thread starter Joe Brewster
- Start date
Why remove the shell?
The shell protects the cotyledons until the tap root starts to dive down deeper into the soil. The shell continues to protect the cotyledons while they are being pushed through the soil.
Probably other reasons for the shell but those are starter ideas on why it is there.
- Thread starter
- #4
Because the old seed doesn't have enough energy to push the shell open
It is & I have done it. Did it Spring 2020I didn’t even think that was possible so I’m a no. CL.
I am redocumenting my experiment here since my first posting is buried in an old thread
I started with these pumpkin seeds
A picture of some 5 year old pumpkin seeds I had trouble germinating.
So I removed the shells & got them to germinate in 2 days
So I have some 20 year old Kush seeds I can't get to sprout so it gave me an idea
how about if I try this on themWell I try first with 5 of my fresh SS seed & I get 5 Success
Got the shells off
Here they are starting to germinate
Here is a picture of them 10 days later
I'm sure you are dying to know how I got the shells off.
You could use one of those fancy seed crackers
But I just did it the old-fashioned way, like eating sunflower seeds between my teeth
So I have to laugh at people who talk about even touching the seed, causing it not to grow
In nature birds eat seeds & sh*t them out. Nature's way of roughing & softening the seed shell
Long story short I never got the 20-year-old Kush to germinate
I never bought the whole thing about not touching the seeds. Because I have done it with no problems whatsoever so if it’s not broke? CLBecause the old seed doesn't have enough energy to push the shell open
It is & I have done it. Did it Spring 2020
I am redocumenting my experiment here since my first posting is buried in an old thread
I started with these pumpkin seeds
A picture of some 5 year old pumpkin seeds I had trouble germinating.
So I removed the shells & got them to germinate in 2 days
So I have some 20 year old Kush seeds I can't get to sprout so it gave me an idea
Well I try first with 5 of my fresh SS seed & I get 5 Success
Got the shells off
Here they are starting to germinate
Here is a picture of them 10 days later
I'm sure you are dying to know how I got the shells off.
You could use one of those fancy seed crackers
But I just did it the old-fashioned way, like eating sunflower seeds between my teeth
So I have to laugh at people who talk about even touching the seed, causing it not to grow
In nature birds eat seeds & sh*t them out. Nature's way of roughing & softening the seed shell
Long story short I never got the 20-year-old Kush to germinate
. 
Interestingly, I was just on the @CannaPot website checking out their new strains and they're selling a seed cracker.
So, maybe you're onto something, Joe.
So, maybe you're onto something, Joe.
- Thread starter
- #7
@Absorber has made his own seed cracker 3D printed items for grows
Most local libraries have 3d printers you can use.
Also, I found this old thread that never came to a conclusion. Looks like it might have been growable.
Dehulled seed germination test
TheGrimReaper
Well-Known Member
I standby Joe's technique! It works amazingly well.
I was informed by admin im not allowed to have an external link to the files posted in my thread so if someone want's the link they will have to message me
I would be tempted to try this method with one of the Lambs Bread seeds I received from @Canuk Seeds. So far, I've adhered to their germination method but of 4 put into water, I only have 1/4 that have proven viable. I put another seed in water this morning and I only have one seed left after that. If I still don't get a sprout after the one in water, I'll be very tempted to try this method with the last Lambs Bread seed but I'll resist since I suspect it would contradict the comparative grow rules.
I may take a clone from the one that has sprouted when it's big enough. That's what I did with the Sugar Black Herer I was growing for a @Herbies Seeds when I couldn't get a second seed to sprout.
I may take a clone from the one that has sprouted when it's big enough. That's what I did with the Sugar Black Herer I was growing for a @Herbies Seeds when I couldn't get a second seed to sprout.
- Thread starter
- #11
Are you keeping your seeds on a heat mat or place that stays constant temp 75 -80 f
Also try adding a few drops of hydrogen peroxide to water
TheGrimReaper
Well-Known Member
I started another batch of seeds by extracting the embryos and I'm starting to understand the seed differently, I can now look at a cannabis seed and see what side the cotyledons will be just by looking at the seed. I also noticed something with this batch of embryos. All embryos were not as mature as others even though the seed shell was fully developed, looking at this made me think back to when I had bad germ rates with these seeds where some popped and some did not, by extracting the embryos I see why.
Thanks, Joe. The new seeds popped so I now have 2 Lamb's Bread seeds growing.
And, yes, I use a @Mars Hydro heating mat.
TheGrimReaper
Well-Known Member
There was some issues that I noticed when doing this type of Germination. One of the issues I experienced were short tap root growth. Next issue was cotyledons were small and sometimes even white. As much as I had a great time with this experiment I can't say that this would be my preferred method. My first step would to be germinate with the shell and second would be to extract the embryo.
- Thread starter
- #15
This type of germination should only be used as a last resort. The chance of damaging the embryo is high. If the seed is fresh, you should not have to worry about germination. Did you germinate in the dark or under light?
TheGrimReaper
Well-Known Member
I germinated in an incubator, both with light on and off. Light on the cotyledon was green, with lights off albino. It didn't make much of a difference other than one set had color but same type of growth. Also I ran into deformities eventhough seed extraction did not damage embryo. From my experiment it works but how the seedling will turn out is a shot in the dark. For some reason I feel that with this experiment I was somewhat wrong about my conclusion about the embryo not needing the seed shell
First time I heard of this being done. Nice.
TheGrimReaper
Well-Known Member
All credit goes to Joe! He was the one that initially introduced me to this method!
TheGrimReaper
Well-Known Member
Using Joe's previous pictures as an example I also ran into this "Short, Thick, Tap rooot" that stopped growing and started to throw off its side roots from the main tap.
TheGrimReaper
Well-Known Member
Eventhough there is some pros and cons to this method I find it the most effective. Waiting for the embryo to grow through the seed shell in my opinion has too many unknowns such as the Embryo probably was not developed causing bad germination rates, seed shell could be too hard etc. I find this as my go to method still.
