Remove helmet head or leave it?

[Username85]

So I’ve got a helmet head seedling and not sure if I just leave alone to do it’s thing or if I should try and remove it. I’ve heard arguments for both sides so I’m hoping this post will help me narrow it down.
Temps between 74~80 RH 45~52, FFHF with a shot glass of water every 2 days.
Seedling broke through soil 11/16 and 5 days later it’s still attached-I’ve tried misting the shell, but hasn’t changed much.
Any thoughts?

 

[green_machine_two9er]

Five days… I’d remove, just be gentle

 

[GoatSoup]

I tried removing and had dismal result. I'd leave it and let the leaves open the shell. Seedling is stronger than the shell.

 

[Rurumo]

If you try to remove it, drip some water on it and try to let it soften up a bit.

 

[Wattzzup]

mist it and bag it until it opens more.

 

[Lenin1917]

I toss em if they don’t open. Heard you can rub a seed on some sandpaper and it’ll make germination easier, haven’t tried it yet, but I do have a pack of old beans that have given me trouble I’ll be trying it on.

 

[MickFoster]

I had that happen to a couple seedlings recently and misted it with water to soften the membrane.......and gently pry it off.
I have seen seedlings die when not removed.
Good luck.

 

[Username85]

I appreciate all the responses. Think I’ll try another mist and let it sit another day and then have at it if no improvements

 

[DoubleAtotheRON]

I've had this happen a few times.. I grab a pair of tweezers and close them, bring it gently up to the shell, and let the tweezers spread the shell open. Be gentle tho.

 

[twentyeight.threefive]

Water drops on the seed head. Later, go to work like a surgeon with needle nose pliers.

 

[JustBlazin]

It has happened to me lots of times, I sometimes use tweezers to try and pull apart the seed but most of the time I gently try and get my two thumb nails in the crack and gently open up the seed head, have to be very gentle with a steady hand but it works like a charm. Key is to get something in the crack to open it up. @DoubleAtotheRON has a great idea of putting the tweezers in the crack and let them gently open, I'm going to try this next time it happens to me.

 

[JimmiP]

I use sharp point trim scissors like these.
I kinda hook the crack in the shell with the tip of one blade and gently support the head of the seedling with my thumb while wiggling off the husk.
Good luck friend!

 

[Username85]

It has happened to me lots of times, I sometimes use tweezers to try and pull apart the seed but most of the time I gently try and get my two thumb nails in the crack and gently open up the seed head, have to be very gentle with a steady hand but it works like a charm. Key is to get something in the crack to open it up. @DoubleAtotheRON has a great idea of putting the tweezers in the crack and let them gently open, I'm going to try this next time it happens to me.

I’ve got a really sharp pointy pair of tweezers that’ll be perfect for this operation. I was hoping it would open up a little bit more to make the process easier

 

[Bigby]

I always try and give them a bit of a helping hand if they're struggling. I find a crafting knife and some fine tip tweezers do the job for me. There's a dsitinct knack to it. More a case of helping the casing off the top of the plant rather than cutting or pulling anything. It's a steep learning curve, but the only way to learn is to do it. I've accidently cut off one half of the cotyledons on a couple of occasions and the plant pulled through fine.

 

[Username85]

I always try and give them a bit of a helping hand if they're struggling. I find a crafting knife and some fine tip tweezers do the job for me. There's a dsitinct knack to it. More a case of helping the casing off the top of the plant rather than cutting or pulling anything. It's a steep learning curve, but the only way to learn is to do it. I've accidently cut off one half of the cotyledons on a couple of occasions and the plant pulled through fine.

I’ve successfully done it once before, but the shell was in a much better position than this one. I’ve got a sharp pointy pair of tweezers, so hopefully that’ll get it done properly

 

[PadawanWarrior]

It has happened to me lots of times, I sometimes use tweezers to try and pull apart the seed but most of the time I gently try and get my two thumb nails in the crack and gently open up the seed head, have to be very gentle with a steady hand but it works like a charm. Key is to get something in the crack to open it up. @DoubleAtotheRON has a great idea of putting the tweezers in the crack and let them gently open, I'm going to try this next time it happens to me.

Tweezers in the crack just doesn't sound like good advice if you ask me.

 

[Username85]

So I managed to get the shell off without causing injury, hopefully it’ll start to take off now

 

[OneMoreRip]

Looks like it was in there to long. Make sure to keep soils covered before they pop, helmets are from not moist enough soil and environment prior to germination from my experience

 

[Herb & Suds]

So I managed to get the shell off without causing injury, hopefully it’ll start to take off now View attachment 5033242

Mist it with plain water till the leaves open
Good job

 

[Username85]

Looks like it was in there to long. Make sure to keep soils covered before they pop, helmets are from not moist enough soil and environment prior to germination from my experience

I also heard it happens when the seed isn’t buried deep enough-think I was guilty of not covering in soil or burying it deep enough. This was my first time just putting seed in soil, I used to germinate prior to planting