Getting the shell off?

Daveindiego

Well-Known Member
Tweezers and carefully remove it. This has happened to me a few times.
Thanks. It’s a really small seed, so I’m hesitant to put tools on it. I’ll give it a few more hours, as it actually looks like it may try on its own.

I already pulled the head off of one seedling this time around.
 

Redwookiee

Active Member
Thanks. It’s a really small seed, so I’m hesitant to put tools on it. I’ll give it a few more hours, as it actually looks like it may try on its own.

I already pulled the head off of one seedling this time around.
It might just grow out of the shell as it gets bigger. It won’t hamper the growth process at all. Looks like it’s wearing a helmet lol
 

Daveindiego

Well-Known Member
It does help. I drop my seeds into a glass of water and wait for them to open. Usually it makes the shells softer.
Thanks. I’ve had great success with Rapid Rooter plugs, but I get these occasional shell issues. Past few times, I was able to simply pull it gently off, but I just pulled too hard on one of them this time around, and this particular seed is really small.
 

MickFoster

Well-Known Member
Make sure you mist it with water first to soften the membrane or you'll kill it trying to remove it.

On a side note......your rapid rooter is way, way too wet. And don't use any kind of dome unless you want damping off.
 

Daveindiego

Well-Known Member
The other ones are doing great. This was my fastest ever transplant to containers ever. I put these seeds into Rapid Rooters last Friday.

image.jpg
 

Merkn4aSquirtn

Well-Known Member
Should just be able to slide it off with a toothpick or something small.
Imo I'd just get it off already.
The quicker it can start sucking that light up
 

Romulanman

Well-Known Member
If you keep wetting it over and over with basically a drop of water it will come off soon. I pry it to see if it will keep pulling the leaf with it. In that case I keep wetting it. Sometimes its just the shell still clamped but the leaf is free.
 

DrKiz

Well-Known Member
Damnit.

Any suggestions? Tips?



View attachment 4693845

Easy homie, I get these helmet heads alot due to my technique. It's simple to correct though. Get that helmet head moist and it will peel off... usually itself.

This I find more often if the seed isn't buried deep enough in moist medium. The head will pop out and the helmet head will dry.

Put a couple drops of water on it. Do this a few times, and wait a few minutes... it'll usually come right off.

Or, I'll make a little moist mound of coco over it. Half a day later it's sticking out of the coco mound, sans helmet head.
 

Daveindiego

Well-Known Member
Easy homie, I get these helmet heads alot due to my technique. It's simple to correct though. Get that helmet head moist and it will peel off... usually itself.

This I find more often if the seed isn't buried deep enough in moist medium. The head will pop out and the helmet head will dry.

Put a couple drops of water on it. Do this a few times, and wait a few minutes... it'll usually come right off.

Or, I'll make a little moist mound of coco over it. Half a day later it's sticking out of the coco mound, sans helmet head.
Great. Thank you very much.
 

Daveindiego

Well-Known Member
If you keep wetting it over and over with basically a drop of water it will come off soon. I pry it to see if it will keep pulling the leaf with it. In that case I keep wetting it. Sometimes its just the shell still clamped but the leaf is free.
Thanks.
 

spliffendz

Well-Known Member
I kept leaving a drop of water on the top of the shell and then gently grabbed with tweezers and pushed shell with toothpick
 
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