Helmet Head

[RisingStock]

Hi all

I've got 5 Onxy seedlings growing in a hempy starter cup. Small enough to where the tap root has hit the bottom. (3 parts perlite/1part vermiculite). Been watering a couple times a day. (Excess just runs out the drain holes). I read you're supposed to do that as they don't have a root system established yet. Also read you can't overwater in the hempy style (thus part of it's attraction for me).

2 of them shot out of the gate, as usual. Problem is the other 3 seem to be having trouble breaking their shells. They look like sprouts....with helmets....for a few days now (I'll post some pics tomorrow). So, I'm growing concerned. Shouldn't the cotyledon's have broken through by now?

Anyone have any advice?

Gracias.

 

[teflondummy]

Keep them moist to help soften the membrane around the leaves and the seed shell itself. I have covered the top of the container with plastic wrap (leave some ventilation). I have also removed the shell with tweezers before.

I am doing the exact same thing to start some of my plants before I move them to larger containers.

 

[JM]

yeah... sometimes you can peel the shell off the cotyledons... but be very gentle... for obvious reasons....

 

[RisingStock]

Helmet pics

Thanks for the advice! Here's some pics as promised.

Don't think I can risk trying to pull them off.....the've only opened enough to send out their sprout. Went ahead and sprayed the heads and covered in saran rap with about 6 or 7 pin pricks for air holes.

Weird....this has never happened before. And I've never done hempy before. (Hope the two aren't related)

 

[RisingStock]

Update...and a question/concern

So, took the advice....sprayed the seedlings/added saran wrap. This evening I was able to gently remove the shell to reveal....rotted and warped cotyledons.
(In one case the head just fell right off, it was that rotten.)

What?

This has never happened before...and I'd like it to never happen again.

Any ideas what happened here? I'd appreciate it.

 

[RisingStock]

Germination in Hempys

Sounds like overwatering. You mentioned you watered several times a day & overwatering in hempy is impossible.
Which is incorrect. Overwatering in Hempy is possible but rare. At such an early age, there shouldn't be a need to water several times a day.

Hmmm, I thought that might be it. I have a tendency to over-mother my plants in the beginning, and I erroneously thought that they needed the water since the roots 'hadn't' reached the well yet. Actually, that tap root grows darn quick, soooo....
expensive lesson learned. Could have having them on a heat mat contributed to the situation ya think? And, bear with me, but why didn't the cotyledons at least break the shell? (3 outta 5 were fine).

This was the one area of hempys (the germination phase) that just wasn't covered very well IMHO. If anyone has a link/better knowledge, please clue me in. Por favor.

 

[RisingStock]

Respect

I've run hempys many times and have personally taught about 12 people. I teach them that before you plant your seed or clone, thoroughly water your container until you have water dribbling out the hole. Then plant your seed/clone. Water daily, being sure to apply the water as far away from the newling. The medium will hold enough water to support the root growth until the next watering.

Now you've taught 13. Thanks man, appreciate the advice.