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Ask a Gardening QuestionBeginner Gardening Questions & Guides: First time gardener questionsCourgette seedlings - should the …

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Courgette seedlings - should the seed still be stuck on above ground?

#1 · 27th January 2024, 12:47 pm

It's my first time growing courgettes from seed and one of them has just germinated but is still inside its seed. What do I do? Do I leave it or try to remove the seed?

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#2 · 27th January 2024, 4:40 pm

Quote from Lee Garden Ninja on 27th January 2024, 4:40 pm
Hi @lizziec
What fantastic pictures of your Courgette seedlings. These are fantastic vegetables to grow from seed as a beginner gardener.
Don't panic about that seed, it is because some plants have epigeal germination where the cotyledons, i.e. seed leaf (and seed case) are pushed above ground vs other plants that have hypogeal (below) germination, where the cotyledons stay underground a stem emerges with the first above-ground leaves.
Don't panic too much, though, it's perfectly normal. Your courgettes look really healthy!
Leave the seed casing on; as the leaves emerge, they will naturally shed this case. If you try and pull it off, you can damage the first seed leaves, which can be irreparable to the plant. The seed leaves are the first 2 true leaves, we always aim not to damage them.
Once other leaves emerge, these can recover from any potential damage as the plant has many more to work with, but the seed leaves (always in a pair) are delicate. This is why we only prick out and pot on seedlings when there are 2 real leaves in addition to the seed leaves.
https://youtu.be/seGiNYRhaZE
What's the difference between above-ground and below-ground germination?
Hypogeal and epigeal germination are two distinct processes by which seeds sprout and begin to grow.
Hypogeal (Below) Germination:
In hypogeal germination, the cotyledons (seed leaves) remain below the soil surface.
As the seed germinates, the stem elongates and pushes the cotyledons and growing shoot upwards.
The cotyledons stay underground and serve as nutrient storage for the emerging seedling.
Examples of plants that exhibit hypogeal germination include beans, peas, and sunflowers.
Epigeal (Above) Germination:
Epigeal germination involves the emergence of cotyledons above the soil surface.
As the seed germinates, the stem elongates and pushes the cotyledons and growing shoot upwards.
The cotyledons expand and become visible above the soil, exposing the emerging seedling to light and air.
Examples of plants that exhibit epigeal germination include tomatoes, lettuce, and cucumbers.
https://youtu.be/DICGT44SMSs
Do let us know how you get on!
Happy gardening
Lee Garden Ninja

Hi @lizziec

What fantastic pictures of your Courgette seedlings. These are fantastic vegetables to grow from seed as a beginner gardener.

Don't panic about that seed, it is because some plants have epigeal germination where the cotyledons, i.e. seed leaf (and seed case) are pushed above ground vs other plants that have hypogeal (below) germination, where the cotyledons stay underground a stem emerges with the first above-ground leaves.

Don't panic too much, though, it's perfectly normal. Your courgettes look really healthy!

Leave the seed casing on; as the leaves emerge, they will naturally shed this case. If you try and pull it off, you can damage the first seed leaves, which can be irreparable to the plant. The seed leaves are the first 2 true leaves, we always aim not to damage them.

Once other leaves emerge, these can recover from any potential damage as the plant has many more to work with, but the seed leaves (always in a pair) are delicate. This is why we only prick out and pot on seedlings when there are 2 real leaves in addition to the seed leaves.

What's the difference between above-ground and below-ground germination?

Hypogeal and epigeal germination are two distinct processes by which seeds sprout and begin to grow.

Hypogeal (Below) Germination:

In hypogeal germination, the cotyledons (seed leaves) remain below the soil surface.
As the seed germinates, the stem elongates and pushes the cotyledons and growing shoot upwards.
The cotyledons stay underground and serve as nutrient storage for the emerging seedling.
Examples of plants that exhibit hypogeal germination include beans, peas, and sunflowers.

Epigeal (Above) Germination:

Epigeal germination involves the emergence of cotyledons above the soil surface.
As the seed germinates, the stem elongates and pushes the cotyledons and growing shoot upwards.
The cotyledons expand and become visible above the soil, exposing the emerging seedling to light and air.
Examples of plants that exhibit epigeal germination include tomatoes, lettuce, and cucumbers.