Seed first aid

[kathycam]

I know this is a bit stupid, but its worth a shot. I bought some overpriced seeds to grow tea leaves. Came to over £2 for 2 seeds. My boyfriend was keen to grow it. When it arrived one of the seeds was squashed. I've complained and they are sending a replacement, but of course I want to see if I can rescue the squashed one. It's basically the size of a big pea and the brown outer shell has smashed, the white bit in the middle looked a bit squished. Yesterday I put it in a bowl wrapped in a tissue and some still warm water from the kettle. It's now swollen up and looking healthier.

Now is it worth continuining and if so what do I do next. Should I plant out in seed compost or just leave it in the tissue and see what happens? Has anyone attempted this before? Should I make it a new protective cover from paper tissue? Put a plaster on it?

As the seeds take 3 years before you can use the leaves, I've told him I'll get him a plant for valentines day,.

Kathy

[Aberdeenplotter]

it will be worth it if it germinates and produces strong growth. Stick with it till you see what happens

[veggiechicken]

The outer case would probably have cracked when germination started anyway. You're just making life easier for it!!

[rustylady]

Keep it in damp tissue and see if it produces a shoot. If it does then carefully pot it up.

[kathycam]

Ah cheers guys, thanks for encouragement. I'll keep it in the damp tissue and observe. I'll let you know if he survices. He's now been named Terry the tea seed. The other non crushed one hasn't got a name as yet.

[Two_Sheds]

I'll keep it in the damp tissue and observe.

You don't need the tissue, and it might go mouldy.

What you're doing is chitting: if you have an old clean hummous pot, pop Terry in there. Give him a clean rinse every day, keep the lid on for humidity but not tight on.

When he gets a root like this, you'll know he's viable, so pot him up into compost.

[kathycam]

Ah cool, will take tissue out now, was away a few days. (in Norfolk actually!)

[Two_Sheds]

Are you sure? I didn't see you

[kathycam]

I was hiding.

[LillyRoseGarden]

Hi, Kathy!

If you decide to buy a tea plant, I bought from Eden project and it was less expensive than in other places. The link: Search

[kathycam]

Ah brillaint, will check those out. How are yours doing, have you managed to harvest any yet?