Should I Trim Cotyledons?

Cotyledons, also known as seed leaves, are part of the seed embryo and the plant's first two leaves. ... As true leaves grow, cotyledons gradually die and drop off. Cutting off any plant's cotyledons generally is not a good idea but is occasionally necessary.

Should you pinch off seed leaves?

Once seedlings are 3 or 4 inches tall with a good supply of true leaves, I pinch them back. You can use scissors or pruning shears, but thumb and forefinger work just fine. While your seedlings are growing indoors, toughen them up by man-handling them a bit.

Why are cotyledons shriveled?

Because it is a storage organ, the cotyledon is an inefficient provider for the adult plant, so it will shrivel and fall away from the plant as shade from the growing plant covers it, either because of senescence or because it is being edged out by an emerging root.