[Beanzy]

I have only popped seeds twice, and I used the jiffy peat pellets on top of fridge with OLD bagseed. Now I have pricey seeds and dont want to screw it up. The dude at the hydro store gave me some Grodan rockwool cubes. Arent those best for hydro? IDK, if my house stays between 70-76 degrees do I need a heat mat?

[brown_thumb]

I've been using the damp (not soaking wet) paper towel method and haven't had a single failure in 25 seeds. But... I do kill the seedlings once they grow past 75-150mm. I can germinate... just can't grow.

I dampen one large paper towel and fold it in half then place one half of the folded towel in an aluminum tray. I place the seeds on the part of the towel in the tray and fold the towel over them. Then I loosely place another aluminum tray on top to keep moisture in and light out. I check twice per day to ensure the towel stays moist (not wet) and I have germinated seeds within 2-4 days. Every one of them have broken through soil.

^^^
I've been there. I got my first 1000W HPS set up just a little while ago.
I'd have to agree with brown thumb for the paper towl method.
I've a 99% chance germination on my end with this method that 1% would be a bag seed from the private reserve we had at my shop.
I wrap mine in foil 4x, and throw her in a zip lock and into the drawer they go!
My grow room stays around 72. I've also heard you could put them on top of a heating pad to mimic mother nature's warm soil Temps.

[sourpuss]

No u dont need a heat mat.

Soak your seeds for 24 hrs. Then put it into your medium. Thats it. You can do extra things to help but those r the basics. If your medium pulls the shell off then your set. Build on the basics. Keep it simple...

[Beanzy]

Thanks everyone for your input, I bought a sunlight CFL so should I start the CFL as soon as the cotyledon leafs come out?

[corky1968]

The method I use and have done this for years now with success.

1. Soak the seeds in a shot glass of water for 8-10 hours at room temp in a dark spot.
   Don't go longer than 10 hours.
   
2. Place the seeds in a moist folded cloth place inside a folded baggie. Don't seal the baggie closed.
   Just fold it and place it in a dark and warm location. Not too hot though.
   
3. A day or two later you should have some cracked seeds ready for planting.
   
4. Some seeds may take more time up to a week. But fresh seeds normally show
   signs of germination within a day or so.

Once the seedling is visible above ground apply lighting.

Good Luck.

[Tri_Cho_Me]

Originally Posted by corky1968

The method I use and have done this for years now with success.

1. Soak the seeds in a shot glass of water for 8-10 hours at room temp in a dark spot.
   Don't go longer than 10 hours.
   
2. Place the seeds in a moist folded cloth place inside a folded baggie. Don't seal the baggie closed.
   Just fold it and place it in a dark and warm location. Not too hot though.
   
3. A day or two later you should have some cracked seeds ready for planting.
   
4. Some seeds may take more time up to a week. But fresh seeds normally show
   signs of germination within a day or so.

Once the seedling is visible above ground apply lighting.

Good Luck.

This perfectly sums up the way to do it. Has worked for me both times. Easy and no fuss.

Tri_Cho_Me

[Beanzy]

I think I also see the logic in sprouting in a paper towel media which would be control, having control over the environment and the status of the seed/seedling. Should I use distilled water?

[corky1968]

Paper towels are messy. A cloth is better and doesn't rip like paper towels.
I just fill my shot glass with cold water from the tap. The water warms up
slowly to room temp in the time the seeds soak. Don't use hot water you
could fry your seeds. My seeds are stores in a refrigerator so even cold
water it's no big deal to them. Don't complicate things.

[DocTim420]

I too am in the soaking camp, but instead of paper towels--I use moistened round cotton makeup pads. An old granola munching hippy buddy of mine is of the opinion that paper towels are chemically treated and not very "sterile" and always used cotton pads (First Aid type). A tube of cotton makeup pads are about a buck at the dollar store...lol.

In about 24 hours the seeds start growing little tails and go right into cups of moistened PromixBX.