Bill-minn is the one to comment on this stuff

ron

I think his seedlings are protected when outside

haha, right, like what do I know? ;-)

Fist off, Congratulations! You've successfully germinated the Pseudolarix seeds you've been looking for from the start!

Just when I think I know what causes 'Helmet Heads' on seed sprouts, something else happens to indicate it's something else. Probably a combination of things or many individual things that can cause it.

I've become quite adept to using tweezers and dental picks along with my engravers magnifier glasses, to salvage the ones I can but I still hate it because a small percentage of the time damage is done and the plant gets discarded. But if you can save one, why not?

I don't think partial cotyledon damage is the end of the world, they might recover.

New seedlings outside can be subject to a variety of occurrences. They're pretty tender to start with, so you don't want heavy, driving rains, pounding down on them for any length of time. Strong winds can be another problem.

I've even had flocks of birds (something large and black) land on my grow table pecking the daylights out of the pot contents (I raised the shade and scared them away shortly after they arrived so damage was minimal).

You've most likely seen my grow (and protection) table in some of my other threads. I can control how much sun, wind, rain gets to my pots outside. The sheet of 'roof' I have is a piece of soffit aluminum. It has ventilation holes stamped/embedded along the center ribs so it protects from a driving rain, yet the rain splashes through and everything gets plenty wet underneath. :)

I’m feeling a bit like a helicopter plant parent.

==>>> i think you crossed that bridge when you pulled out the sewing machine ..... lol ...

Careful, being a helicopter plant parent can spoil/rot your seedlings.

I hear you bengz, I think all the info I read about these guys being prone to damping off has me a bit paranoid. I’m curious to see how the grow bags/kelp treatments influence their first few seasons outside. Admittedly, this germination process made me realize Im not a fan of indoor propagation (fighting low humidity and the resulting high humidity of plastic domes)

Ken, I got my lady To make some for me last year and they performed beautifully. My skills on the sewing machine leaves much to be desired, but the result seems passable.

Bill thank you for the congratulations! I think I’ll be following your lead and constructing a similar grow table(s) outdoors. I love the idea of softly controlling some of the unpredictable variables.