Pepper helmet heads

jmsieglaff · February 18, 2017

I routinely get a lot of helmet heads on my peppers. I don't get nearly as many on my tomatoes. I use a sterile quality seed starting mix and keep the mix plenty moist. Anyone else have the same issue? I work the helmet heads off with spit and gentle tugging. Lose a few sprouts but most make it.

dmforcier · February 18, 2017

Most likely means that you're planting too shallow. The dirt should pull them off as the plant rises toward the sun. In rare cases where the cots don't escape on their own (misting is good), I use a magnifying light and two tweezers to tease the helmet off.

I've even had cases where the helmet prevent the cots from emerging at all, yet true leaves eventually form and the plant grows normally.

jmsieglaff · February 18, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmforcier

Most likely means that you're planting too shallow. The dirt should pull them off as the plant rises toward the sun. In rare cases where the cots don't escape on their own (misting is good), I use a magnifying light and two tweezers to tease the helmet off.

I've even had cases where the helmet prevent the cots from emerging at all, yet true leaves eventually form and the plant grows normally.

You're probably on to something, because everything else checks out. I'll try planting them deeper next year.

Rockandrollin · February 18, 2017

Last night I hit the helmet heads with water spray and about 20 min later they softened and came off very easy. First time trying this, maybe I got lucky. Time will tell

Labradors2 · February 18, 2017

I start all my seeds on paper towel in a baggie and wait until I see the cots before planting into 3" pots.

Linda

rhines81 · February 18, 2017

I never worry about this at all. Nature has always taken its course and the plant escapes. It happens with maybe 1 out of 10 plants, usually corrects itself the same day, sometimes it takes 2 or 3 days, but it all works out on its own.

KarenO · February 18, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhines81

I never worry about this at all. Nature has always taken its course and the plant escapes. It happens with maybe 1 out of 10 plants, usually corrects itself the same day, sometimes it takes 2 or 3 days, but it all works out on its own.

I agree, let them be . I think of it as the seedling's first test. If it cant even get itself out of it's own seed coat, do you really want it? I like to plant extra whenever possible and select only the best seedlings right from the start. survival of the fittest.

KarenO

Rajun Gardener · February 18, 2017

YEP, plant them a little deeper so the soil has a little resistance and it will pull the seed coat off and if they don't come up then it's a weak seed so you don't want it any way. When I say deep I mean 1/4".

Gardeneer · February 18, 2017

We seem to worry about it too much. We just don't like to see that helmet. But if left alone the leaves ( Or at least one of them ) should manage to get out.
Plants are amazing. They can grow in the cracks of rocks and grow roots.

ginger2778 · February 18, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by KarenO

I agree, let them be . I think of it as the seedling's first test. If it cant even get itself out of it's own seed coat, do you really want it? I like to plant extra whenever possible and select only the best seedlings right from the start. survival of the fittest.

KarenO

Yeah, but that's cause you're a meanie!

Rajun Gardener · February 18, 2017

Peppers are a different animal, the seed coat is so hard that once they dry out after popping it's hard to get them soft again. I had the same problem a few weeks ago and sprayed the seedcoat a few times a day but it just rotted the coty and the seedling died.

KarenO · February 18, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by ginger2778

Yeah, but that's cause you're a meanie!

but in a good way

K

Rajun Gardener · February 18, 2017

HAHA!!

AlittleSalt · February 18, 2017

I didn't have much problem with helmet head this year. If you ever want to see helmet head Big-time, start onions from seed.

Gardeneer · February 18, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlittleSalt

I didn't have much problem with helmet head this year. If you ever want to see helmet head Big-time, start onions from seed.

Yeah all black helmets all over. But onions, chives being needle types , it does not matter. If you don't like them just get a pair of scissors and cut them off.

February 18, 2017	#1
jmsieglaff Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Southern WI Posts: 2,742	Pepper helmet heads I routinely get a lot of helmet heads on my peppers. I don't get nearly as many on my tomatoes. I use a sterile quality seed starting mix and keep the mix plenty moist. Anyone else have the same issue? I work the helmet heads off with spit and gentle tugging. Lose a few sprouts but most make it.

February 18, 2017	#2
dmforcier Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 3,825	Most likely means that you're planting too shallow. The dirt should pull them off as the plant rises toward the sun. In rare cases where the cots don't escape on their own (misting is good), I use a magnifying light and two tweezers to tease the helmet off. I've even had cases where the helmet prevent the cots from emerging at all, yet true leaves eventually form and the plant grows normally. __________________ Stupidity got us into this mess. Why can't it get us out? - Will Rogers

February 18, 2017	#9
Gardeneer Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: NC - zone 8a - heat zone 7 Posts: 4,920	We seem to worry about it too much. We just don't like to see that helmet. But if left alone the leaves ( Or at least one of them ) should manage to get out. Plants are amazing. They can grow in the cracks of rocks and grow roots. __________________ Gardeneer Happy Gardening !

February 18, 2017	#4
Rockandrollin Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Kennewick, WA (7a) Posts: 182	Last night I hit the helmet heads with water spray and about 20 min later they softened and came off very easy. First time trying this, maybe I got lucky. Time will tell

February 18, 2017	#5
Labradors2 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Ontario Posts: 3,898	I start all my seeds on paper towel in a baggie and wait until I see the cots before planting into 3" pots. Linda

February 18, 2017	#6
rhines81 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Zone 5A, Poconos Posts: 959	I never worry about this at all. Nature has always taken its course and the plant escapes. It happens with maybe 1 out of 10 plants, usually corrects itself the same day, sometimes it takes 2 or 3 days, but it all works out on its own.

February 18, 2017	#8
Rajun Gardener Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Tomato Cornhole Posts: 2,550	YEP, plant them a little deeper so the soil has a little resistance and it will pull the seed coat off and if they don't come up then it's a weak seed so you don't want it any way. When I say deep I mean 1/4".

February 18, 2017	#14
AlittleSalt BANNED FOR LIFE Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 13,333	I didn't have much problem with helmet head this year. If you ever want to see helmet head Big-time, start onions from seed.