RocBud Oh the dreaded Helmet Head....#PurpleKong

[Kirochka13red]

Started some RocBud seeds for my BF who is out of town. This is Purple Kong and while it was first to pop up, I am having terrible stress over the helmet head and ensuring I am a good steward and foster for his plants. This was put in the dirt on 11/26. I'm doing my best, Babe!

 

[Mañ'O'Green]

@Kirochka13redWelcome to AFN. Helmet head can be from older seeds that the shell has become tough over the years, a seed that is not planted deep enough or soil that is too loose for the plant to get enough friction on the way out to scrape it off can be the cause. Judging by the fact that I can see all of the lateral root hairs I am going to guess the seed was planted too shallow. It is very risky to pry them off. I have killed more than one in an attempt to remove the shell. Sometimes the plant will be strong enough to force its way out other times they just die!

 

[Smoking Frog]

Give it TIME...and don't mess with it!
More chance of killing trying to get the helmet off...That seedling is very young.

 

[Kirochka13red]

Started some RocBud seeds for my BF who is out of town. This is Purple Kong and while it was first to pop up, I am having terrible stress over the helmet head and ensuring I am a good steward and foster for his plants. This was put in the dirt on 11/26. I'm doing my best, Babe!

Started some RocBud seeds for my BF who is out of town. This is Purple Kong and while it was first to pop up, I am having terrible stress over the helmet head and ensuring I am a good steward and foster for his plants. This was put in the dirt on 11/26. I'm doing my best, Babe!

Helmet Head Removed!! Success!

 

[Kirochka13red]

@Kirochka13redWelcome to AFN. Helmet head can be from older seeds that the shell has become tough over the years, a seed that is not planted deep enough or soil that is too loose for the plant to get enough friction on the way out to scrape it off can be the cause. Judging by the fact that I can see all of the lateral root hairs I am going to guess the seed was planted too shallow. It is very risky to pry them off. I have killed more than one in an attempt to remove the shell. Sometimes the plant will be strong enough to force its way out other times they just die!

Boyfriend walked me through the delicate surgical procedure with tweezers and not moving that root. It was successful! As for the age of the seed, I would not know as these were seeds we just got from RocBud. They were a bit shallow in the soil but that’s how he asked me to plant them.