I'm starting to think I've just been lucky. I keep reading posts about people having a hard time germing. In 4 grows, I have never ever had less than 100% germ rate. I put my beans in paper towels, wet it, put that in a plastic container with a lid like the kind produce comes in, stick it on top of the fridge or on top of my computer tower, and presto, they germ.

Oh, if your taproot grows into the paper towel, just carefully cut around it and plop it into your dirt with the little piece of paper stuck to it. It will break down and won't hurt anything. And the water doesn't really matter. I like to use it at room temp though.