Help for Helmet Heads - Page 2

ddsack · May 13, 2012

Yup, janezee, I know exactly of what you speak!

There are some whole batches of (older or weak?) seeds where the cots just don't have the vigor to split the seed coat by themselves. The energy seems to be channeled to growing a long stem instead of sent into the head where the baby leaves need it. Even with moistening, they occasionally can't push the seed head off by themselves because the neck opening is so small and tight, and they are too weak to split it. I leave them alone and wetted down as long as I can, but some need help with a pin to split the casing and tease it off, or you will rip off the whole head or at least most of the folded back cot tips.

Though they normally survive just fine with only some portion of the cots left.

meadowyck · September 17, 2012

Why is it the seeds have this? I've never had this happen to my seedlings, is it because I'm in FL.....LOL

since I'm starting them in DE I just use a q-tip dipped in water and put on the helmet head and then easy it off. I've lost a few seedlings, and others are alright. The way I look at it for the lost ones is they were strong to begin with as the ones that survived me removing the helmet head are really the seedlings I want to grow out.

We have had a lot of rain and high humidity, so could this be a cause, or am I keeping the seedlings to wet?

thanks for yall's help.

May 13, 2012	#16
ddsack Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Northern Minnesota - zone 3 Posts: 3,231	Yup, janezee, I know exactly of what you speak! There are some whole batches of (older or weak?) seeds where the cots just don't have the vigor to split the seed coat by themselves. The energy seems to be channeled to growing a long stem instead of sent into the head where the baby leaves need it. Even with moistening, they occasionally can't push the seed head off by themselves because the neck opening is so small and tight, and they are too weak to split it. I leave them alone and wetted down as long as I can, but some need help with a pin to split the casing and tease it off, or you will rip off the whole head or at least most of the folded back cot tips. Though they normally survive just fine with only some portion of the cots left. __________________ Dee **************

September 17, 2012	#17
meadowyck Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2012 Location: Brooksville, FL Posts: 1,001	Why is it the seeds have this? I've never had this happen to my seedlings, is it because I'm in FL.....LOL since I'm starting them in DE I just use a q-tip dipped in water and put on the helmet head and then easy it off. I've lost a few seedlings, and others are alright. The way I look at it for the lost ones is they were strong to begin with as the ones that survived me removing the helmet head are really the seedlings I want to grow out. We have had a lot of rain and high humidity, so could this be a cause, or am I keeping the seedlings to wet? thanks for yall's help. __________________ Jan “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” -Theodore Roosevelt