Cotyledon

Cotyledon leaves are the first to appear on a cannabis embryo or that of another plant. Also known as seed leaves, cannabis cotyledon leaves grow in pairs, although other plants may have one or three cotyledon leaves. As the plant matures, the leaves fall off to make way for to other parts of the plant.

What is the function of the cotyledon?

Seed plants generally have cotyledons, which are the first leaves to appear when a seed sprouts. The cotyledon leaves help open the seed coat so that the seed can germinate. The cotyledon leaves also play a vital role in providing the seedling with the nutrients and energy it needs to begin the growth process.

When flowering plants like cannabis germinate, the cotyledons emerge and break through the growing medium before anything else. These embryonic leaves store food and nutrients and help direct energy and food reserves to the parts of the germinating seed that need them most.

Shortly after the cotyledon emerges, the growing plant A stem grows through the center of the seed leaf, after which the first set of «true leaves» appears. Through this process, the cotyledon leaves essentially help initiate photosynthesis, which the true leaves then take over as the plant continues to grow.

When the young person cannabis plant Once the young plant has enough true leaves to produce food through photosynthesis, it no longer needs to draw on the food and energy stored in the cotyledons. Since they are no longer needed to keep the plant alive, the cotyledons will naturally wilt, turn yellow, and then brown. At this stage, most cotyledons simply fall off on their own.

What do healthy cotyledon leaves look like on cannabis plants?

Cotyledon leaves don’t look like normal cannabis leaves. That’s why people often call a cotyledon a seed leaf or a first leaf, while the first normal-looking leaves are called true leaves. Instead of the famous serrated, multi-lobed leaf In the variety for which cannabis is known, the cotyledon leaves are more rounded.

When you see the true cannabis leaves start to grow above the cotyledons, it’s a sign that your plant is well on its way to becoming a strong, healthy plant. Cannabis plants usually produce two cotyledons, although sometimes there may be three or even four cotyledon leaves on a young plant.

Should you prune the cotyledon leaves?

There’s no need to remove the cotyledon leaves. They usually fall off on their own. If you have a plant with a brown, withered cotyledon leaf that hasn’t fallen off, and the plant is healthy with plenty of true leaves, you can go ahead and pull it off. While your plant is still germinating and developing its first stem and true leaves, don’t worry about the cotyledon leaves, as they help nourish the young plant until it can sustain itself.