The seed cap can stay on the seedling until they decay by themselves. We have both Washingtonia Robusta and W. Filifera seedlings as well as Phoenix Canariensis coming up in our yard all by themselves from seeds that birds drop, and I don't do a thing for them to germinate. The only thing I do is go through and remove all the seedlings every fall before they become too big to handle. Good Luck!

Thanks