I just have to offer my humble opinion on germinating, i originally started with paper towels which didnt work out very well cuz its very easy to damage the roots, then i tried the jiffy pellets and i immediatelly abandoned that project cuz its very hard to control the moisture in them, sometimes too wet, sometimes too dry . Then i tried the little sponges (not sure what they are called) and i had good results but i found out that generally seedlings would come out stretched in them. To come to a conclusion the best way of germination i have ever tried out is in cups, i fill the cup with soil(after i have made holes at the bottom) then i water it thoroughly and let it put out its excessive water and then i make a very shallow hole with my finger and place the seed and i cover it with a little soil. 2-4 days after you get very nice healthy seedlings and you can keep them in the cups till you see roots at the bottom. Then(the nicest thing) you place the cup into the soil and enclose it with soil, pull it out so that there is an imprint of the cup, turn it upside down(while holding the stem inbetween your fingers) and put it in the hole you created . No transplant shock no problems everything nice and tidy.