Poor germination.

[catjac1975]

I have had strangely poor germination of cucurbits and sunflower seed. I always plant heavily and thin my seedlings. Though I have some young plants, not nearly as many seeds as I planted have come up. It has been what I think is ideal conditions. I have found empty seed shells of both on the top of the soil. I thought the seedlings had just sloughed off the husk. Now I am wondering if something could have carefully eaten the seed and left behind the shell. What do you think?

 

[lesa]

Exact same thing happened to me Cat! I think I had a mouse in the greenhouse. Empty shells and not one sunflower! Glad I had a few volunteers in the garden- I hate a summer without sunflowers!

 

[catjac1975]

My husband thought it might be chipmunks. Now I'm mad at my cats! Has this happened to you before Lesa?

 

[lesa]

I usually have a little trouble with birds and critters eating the seed. But, this year was the worst. I finally set a trap and caught a mouse in the greenhouse. That little devil ate many, many of my young seedlings and all the sunflower seeds!

 

[baymule]

I have had strangely poor germination of cucurbits and sunflower seed. I always plant heavily and thin my seedlings. Though I have some young plants, not nearly as many seeds as I planted have come up. It has been what I think is ideal conditions. I have found empty seed shells of both on the top of the soil. I thought the seedlings had just sloughed off the husk. Now I am wondering if something could have carefully eaten the seed and left behind the shell. What do you think?

Sounds like a blonde has been in your garden.............

Do you know how to tell when a blonde has been eating M&M's??




All the colored shells on the floor.



That might apply to cucurbits as well............

 

[MontyJ]

Have to tell my DD, Charissa that one Bay. She's a blonde thru and thru. I always share blonde jokes with her

 

[baymule]

Have to tell my DD, Charissa that one Bay. She's a blonde thru and thru. I always share blonde jokes with her

I just couldn't help myself, that's the first thing that popped in my head after reading cucurbit shells.........

Do you know a blonde's favorite color?

Clear.

 

[catjac1975]

I have to tell you, as a lifelong educator I hate jokes that have a young girl talk about how dumb she is. A child will own that identity in time. Just saying.