Over the years I’ve discovered several examples of what seems to ME, and I stress ME, over-complications in various things. For example, I love to cook. I’ve come across countless recipes which are needlessly complicated, and I have no idea why. My original caramel recipe called for adding 2 cans of evaporated milk over a period of 20-30mins, else you’d ruin your caramels. I’ve made this at least 2doz times, and I put everything in the pot at once, and bring it to the right temps, and it’s fine, every time.
When it comes to starting seeds, until recently mostly vegetable seeds, over the past few years I’ve tried different approaches and mediums. This is how I’ve started my beans for the past 2yrs. I’m not trying to start a war here 
but this is what works best for me.
First, let me say I’m cheap. We are both retired, and we can pay our bills, BUT, we ARE on a fixed income now, so when it comes to hobbies, we like to find the easiest and least expensive EFFECTIVE way to do things.
I use the paper towel method…and here’s my “setup”.
What you’re looking at is a 9X13" baking pan, with a piece of tupperware, covered by my “seed key” so I know the names of each of the strains. It’s placed on top of a floor lamp which has an LED bulb in it, so barely any head at all, just enough to keep the pan warm. Pan fits perfectly on top of the shade. It’s not totally dark, but putting the pad of paper on top blocks most direct light, and the beans are sandwiched between two wet paper towels. My DW is not totally fond of this arrangement, but she humors me, knowing it’s for a short time.
That pick is from the end of this popping session this morning.
As a side note, pretty much everything I started popped, with the exception of some Box of Chocolate beans, which I’ve had trouble with. I did 6 on my first run a few weeks ago, only 1 popped. I let the other 5 go for another 48hrs, then gave them a pinch…they were “empty”. I had 7 left, so put them all in this run. Yesterday, everything else was basically done, except for a few Rocky Mountains. I checked them at about 4pm yesterday, the Box of Chocolates still had nothing showing.
This morning, 3 of the Chocolates had popped, and had sprung big tap roots in roughly 14hrs. Here’s a shot, sorry there’s nothing for scale, but that root is about an inch long.
So that’s basically it. I don’t soak, I don’t float, I don’t use H2O2, as I’ve seen many on here do. Not saying it’s wrong…just saying I’ve had what I feel is great success going this route. Other than the Box of Chocolates, I think I’ve only had 2 seeds out of about 45 that didn’t pop…so I don’t think I’ll be changing much, given those numbers.
After they pop, it’s in to the solo cups filled with seed starting mix. I was going to make my own, but time and convenience led me to buy the Jiffy starting mix. I poke a hole in the bottom of the cups because I like to bottom-water plants, letting them wick the water up into the medium. I think that’s less destructive, especially for seedlings that are SO delicate and easy to damage. I label each cup with a permanent marker to keep the strains identified.
I’m so cheap, I even reuse the Solo cups!..just scratch out the old label and write the new one, as long as there’s still room.
Have a Great Grow,
Lob
