Poor quality seeds – both are helmet heads – what do I do?
These seeds have been hell to germinate, but now that I finally have two, they are both helmet heads… how do I rescue them?
by tresslessone
9 Comments
BudMower
Get a spray bottle and give them a spray. Try to get a water droplet to stay on each hull by surface tension, and wait like 5-10 mins. The seed hull should get soggy enough for you to be able to carefully remove it with tweezers.
Obi_Vayne_Kenobi
First of all, you should wait, until the leaves have almost completely left the shell. Chances are that the shell will fall off on its own.
If this is not the case and the shell chokes the developing leaves, place a drop of water on the seed shell, let it soak for ten minutes, and then use tweezers to carefully squeeze the shell perpendicular to the flat side. It will open and release the leaves.
But again, the most important part is waiting, at least a few more days.
I have beheaded so many by being impatient – wait a few more days and then try the water droplet method recommended by others. Don’t rush it!
Brookview_Farms
Putting some plastic wrap over the cup to keep the shell soft should help
coyoteka
Sure, blame the seeds.
highestmikeyouknow
Less is more.
okeydokeylittlesmoky
Plant deeper next time they need the moisture and friction to remove the seed cap.
grumpyporcini
Add a drop of water on top of the seed. Do it everyday until it comes off. It doesn’t need to come fully off. All you need is for enough of the leaves to come out for the plant to get enough energy to make the first true leaves. So if the seed is still hanging to one cotyledon don’t sweat it. Personally, I wouldn’t try tweezer approach until absolutely needed.
9 Comments
Get a spray bottle and give them a spray. Try to get a water droplet to stay on each hull by surface tension, and wait like 5-10 mins. The seed hull should get soggy enough for you to be able to carefully remove it with tweezers.
First of all, you should wait, until the leaves have almost completely left the shell. Chances are that the shell will fall off on its own.
If this is not the case and the shell chokes the developing leaves, place a drop of water on the seed shell, let it soak for ten minutes, and then use tweezers to carefully squeeze the shell perpendicular to the flat side. It will open and release the leaves.
But again, the most important part is waiting, at least a few more days.
https://preview.redd.it/4coq7ocv746e1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=435c6873e9a7b825d34c71b7d36765718bc57604
I feel your pain.
I have beheaded so many by being impatient – wait a few more days and then try the water droplet method recommended by others. Don’t rush it!
Putting some plastic wrap over the cup to keep the shell soft should help
Sure, blame the seeds.
Less is more.
Plant deeper next time they need the moisture and friction to remove the seed cap.
Add a drop of water on top of the seed. Do it everyday until it comes off. It doesn’t need to come fully off. All you need is for enough of the leaves to come out for the plant to get enough energy to make the first true leaves. So if the seed is still hanging to one cotyledon don’t sweat it. Personally, I wouldn’t try tweezer approach until absolutely needed.