If you think you can pull off the shell of the seed without hurting the leaves inside by all means do it. If you can't help but damage it, then let nature take it's course, the leaves will eventually push the seed shell off. Don't be surprised that the leaves inside will be BRIGHT yellow/green...they haven't had any light yet to turn green. And congrats on your sprout...btw, I put my flourescents within an inch or two of the top of the plants. THat will stop stretching. S