Seedling membrane?

[Seadaemon]

This seedling just popped it's helmet this morning. I feel like the first two leaves should have started to open. It looks like there is a thin membrane half way down the front of the leaves. Should I be trying to remove it ?

 

[PurpleGunRack]

Sometimes it's necessary to remove it, it can be done by very gently squeezing around the leafs where the membrane is attached and/or by very gently scratching upwards with a finger nail and catching the edge of the membrane and slowly peel it off but be careful when it's almost off, it's sometimes tightly attached to the tip of the leaves with tiny hooks and pulling it too hard can rip the leaves/stem all the way off. tearing can be avoided by grabbing the leaves below the membrane between two fingers and pulling the membrane slowly off with the other hand.
Gently rubbing the membrane with your finger tips can loosen it and make it easier to remove.

If you're carefully and don't wait too long before attempting the peel off, it's almost guaranteed to work, if you wait too long the stem gets weak and can break quite easily when handling the seedling.

 

[Seadaemon]

Thanks for the reply pgr ! How do they look now? I think I got it off,and the 2 leaves are now seperated. It's hard to see in the pic though.

 

[Azimuth]

It's pretty easy to damage the seedling by trying to remove it manually even if you try to be very careful so I always try misting it first to help loosen it and help the seedling shed it naturally. But, sometimes it is necessary to help it off manually.

If so, misting and letting the water soak in a bit before touching it usually makes it easier to scrape off.

But, looks like you're on your way!!

 

[SmokingWings]

This seedling just popped it's helmet this morning. I feel like the first two leaves should have started to open. It looks like there is a thin membrane half way down the front of the leaves. Should I be trying to remove it ?

Maybe it is just me, but I try not to panic and worry about the small details until there is a real reason to do so. Usually the seed shell is pushed off as the two cotyledons are pushing though the surface of the soil. Often the membrane will come off at the same time or very soon after.

If the membrane is still sticking to the cotyledons I will wait 24 to 48 hours after the seed breaks the surface for the cotyledons to finish swelling up and opening by themselves. At that point if the seedling did not do what it was supposed to do I will start to plan out how to remove it.