In the natural germination process the tap-root "loops" up around over itself and then back down which is to right the plant head up above the surface of the soil through leverage, this also strengthens the seedling and gives it time for the water leaves to expand which will split the shell off. They are SUPPOSE to do this that way you don't have the seeds sitting there with shells not coming off below or right at the soil/medium surface. Trust me on this one dude.
I have never put the seed into the soil with the tap root facing up and all my plants have come out healthy enough.
The only people i have seen that have put the tap root facing up like 6 times out of 10 the tap root comes out of the top of the medium instead of the first 2 leaves.
Normally the shell splits off once the seed has come up out of the medium and started to spread its first 2 leaves, and maybe occasionally he seed shell gets stuck but then you just get a clean pair of tweezers and pull it off carefully.
As far as superthrive goes...it contains vital trace elements, plant hormones, over 50 biousable complexes, kelp extract & vitamin B1 which aids in tap root development and increases vigor signifigantly in seedling stage. Superthrive is pretty amazing shit. It is not considered a "nutrient" as it has a very low ppm value. Just do a side by side test on the exact same seeds with & without superthrive and tell me what you find out ok?
well were going to have to agree to disagree on this one because ST can be very handy for the veg of a plant.
But i would never use it during the germinating stage, because 9 times out of 10 when I have germinated a seed with just water it works fine.
I have also come across some statements saying it helps but also some that it doesn't so