I usually take the seed casing off when this happens.. especially if it is holding the first set of leaves BACK. I will usually wait a couple days after it sprouts.. it is easier to take off without damaging the plant when the seed casing is dry and cracked.

BTW- common - don't sweat it : )
Garden Knowm Reviewed by Garden Knowm on . seed shell still on sprout i germinated 10 durban poison seeds (paper towel style) then planted in soil.. 2 and 1/2 days after planting about half popped out nice and healthy, 2 no-shows yet and there are 2 others that popped through the surface with the seed casing still attached. One of them looks like a normal sprout but with the entire seed intact on top of the sprout, just split a little. The other is a little less extreme, just like a strong membrane over the top of the sprout, looking like its not letting Rating: 5