The paper towel method is the most popular germination technique among home growers because it lets you visually monitor taproot development before committing a seed to soil.

What you need: Two sheets of plain white paper towel, two plates, a spray bottle of clean water, and a warm dark spot.

Step-by-step:

Moisten the paper towel until it is damp but not dripping. When you squeeze it, only a few drops should fall — excess water encourages mold.
Place your seeds on one half of the damp towel, spacing them at least 3–4 cm apart.
Fold the towel over the seeds and lay the whole sheet on a plate. Place the second plate face-down on top to trap moisture and block light.
Store in a warm location — the top of a refrigerator, inside a cupboard above a heat source, or in a dedicated seedling heat mat setup. Target 21–25°C consistently. Fluctuating temperatures are one of the leading causes of germination failure.
Check every 12 hours. Re-mist if the towel starts to dry out.
Transplant when the taproot reaches 1–2 cm. A taproot shorter than 1 cm is fragile and not ready; longer than 2 cm becomes brittle and difficult to handle without damage.

Timing: Most quality seeds crack and show a taproot within 24–72 hours. Older or denser seeds may take up to five days. If nothing has happened after seven days, the seed is likely non-viable.

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