Paper towel never did me wrong, I gotta say. I've got 6 beans going right now, since about 6pm yesterday. They look to be nearly ready. I get 100% germ, but I actually let them go a little past initial germ and let them get a longish root on. Then I plant them. If they've grown through the paper towel, I just tear the towel around them and plant the whole damn thing.

The plants I've got in flower now, I forgot about, and they actually had cotyledons on them when I(finally) planted them.

I would like to do some research on this. I think the acidic environment provided by the decomposing wood pulp in the paper towel actually helps germing. But since I'm a stripper and not a scientist, I'd have to verify this. Hey, my county extension agent should be open this time of year, seeing as how it's March and all. I'll give them a call.