That is exactly what they were, Jamstigator. I share your reluctance to file a complaint about free goods, but the bitter, repeated failure those skunks delivered was a confidence killer for a brand-new grower. I was starting to view myself as an object of horticultural terror, complete with black hood and scythe - looming with a fiery watering can and raspy chuckle over tiny, helpless seeds.

"It pops the tail from 'neath its skin or else it gets the fert again."

Gmoney, you are absolutely right: it can't hurt to try. I gave the plant an extra-heavy feeding and reassured myself that if it dies, at this point putting it out of its misery might be a kindness.