deformed courgetted leaves

[eskymo]

I've been trying to find the thread where I mentioned that my courgettes all had deformed leaves, but had no luck, so I started a new thread instead.

Any idea why my courgettes look like this?

Some of them are developing a third leaf now and that looks OK, it's just the first two leaves that look odd. I didn't have this last year so not sure what is causing it. The only difference this year is that I've got a plastic greenhouse so maybe it's the higher temperature.

Any ideas?

[Strepsy]

I think it's just where the seed case was stuck slightly as the leaves emerged from the shell.

[Alice]

Eskymo, I don't think you need to worry. Just looks like seed leaves to me. The plant will eventually throw these leaves away so don't worry when they start to wilt, rot, die or whatever. By that time the plant will have nice healthy looking true leaves. Just look forward to the courgettes. I can see the beginnings of courgettes on mine now.

[JennieAtkinson]

My courgette seeds are still in the packet - should be able to sow next week!

I always find that the first two leaves (are they not true leaves?) are often mishapen, but they do seem to be discarded once the second, true, leaves appear.

[eskymo]

that's OK then...I won't worry. It's just I've never had the leaves look like this before so I was concerend that something was wrong with the plants.

[lyndap]

Some of mine have done the same, but true leaves are fine. I won't have to worry now seen everyone elses answers.Phew. Thought it was cos planted what was left of free pack of seed from GYO from last year and hadn't stored properly.

[gcroft]

leaf shape

that's OK then...I won't worry. It's just I've never had the leaves look like this before so I was concerend that something was wrong with the plants.

my cucumbers are the same its just the cotyledon leaves (the first 2 leaves of the seed) nothing to worry about as they are just made from the seed oil reserves only panic when the true leaves are buggered

[Alice]

The first leaves plants produce when they germinate are seed leaves. These leaves bear no resemblance to the plants true leaves. After a peiod of time the plants discard these leaves in one way or another and this is normal. Not sure what the function of these leaves is, maybe feeds the plant or something. Must check into that myself.

[Squirrel]

Looking at the shape of the first leaves, I wonder if they arn't shaped that way to push up through the soil initially? They are quite stiff arn't they and often have the seed husk attached until they get through to the light? The true leaves are very soft and tear easily in comparison.