What to do with helmet heads?

dshreter · May 28, 2022

I’m sure you’ve all seen it, a seed comes up and the seed coat remains adhered to the cotyledons. My preference is to just discard these helmet heads, but sometimes I really want every seedling that germinates if I only have a few seeds of a certain variety.

I usually keep at spraying the seed coating with water periodically to soften it, and will try to carefully work it off or slip it off with my fingers. But I often break the cotyledons or stem in the process.

Does anyone have tips or techniques that you’re using or things that help prevent the helmet heads in the first place?

May 28, 2022	#1
dshreter Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2019 Location: Seattle Posts: 58	What to do with helmet heads? I’m sure you’ve all seen it, a seed comes up and the seed coat remains adhered to the cotyledons. My preference is to just discard these helmet heads, but sometimes I really want every seedling that germinates if I only have a few seeds of a certain variety. I usually keep at spraying the seed coating with water periodically to soften it, and will try to carefully work it off or slip it off with my fingers. But I often break the cotyledons or stem in the process. Does anyone have tips or techniques that you’re using or things that help prevent the helmet heads in the first place? Last edited by dshreter; May 28, 2022 at 06:27 PM.