Originally Posted by elcheapo
There are lots of different ways to germinate. When planting a seed, the tap root is supposed to face upwards. Its supposed to curl up over the seed then back down again. The first thing you should see is a little loop of root/stem coming out of the medium. It then pulls the seed up and uncurls. See pics. It's different if you use the paper towel method though. The tap root seems to just come out straight most of the time. In the past I've then just planted it with the root facing down and the seed part level with the top of the medium.