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leaves... what to do

Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 7:55 pm
by Vorguen
my seedlings are about to get their second set of true leaves (they are there just small)... what should I do to them now?

I heard somewhere to pluck out the old fake leaves (is this what they are called? I am referring to the first set of sprout leaves they get that arent true leaves)

does this help them?

Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 8:18 pm
by Kisal
The first leaves aren't "fake"! :lol: They're called the "seed leaves". I wouldn't do anything to your plants now, except continue to give them the same good care as you have been. Don't remove the seed leaves. :)

Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 8:22 pm
by DoubleDogFarm
cotyledon

Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 9:12 pm
by Vorguen
haha thank you for the names :)

well I knew the name of "true leaves" and I was sure the name of the others weren't "dishonest leaves" so I figured fake leaves would get my point across... ill call them seed leaves from now on :)

what would happen if I do snip off the seed leaves though? one of my plants they fell off really quick after it grew true leaves so I was wondering, they actually seemed to shrivel up

Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 9:53 pm
by Kisal
On tomato plants, they actively photosynthesize food to support the seedling, until enough true leaves are produced to do the job. I wouldn't remove them.

They will either wither and fall off when the plant no longer needs them, or they'll be buried when you move the plant to it's next container or into the ground, depending on the technique you prefer to use. :)

Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 11:54 pm
by Vorguen
ah, I didnt know that any plants could photosinthesize with their seed leaves, is this more common than I imagine?

Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2011 12:08 am
by Kisal
If the seed leaves grow larger and turn green after they emerge from the soil, then they are providing food for the growing seedling. :)