Well for starters, if you've ever grown a houseplant before apply the same mentality to growing any plant. The 1/2" was correct. You don't want to too deep because it'll be more difficult to sprout. As for the water, he was off. Follow these instructions:

1) Germinate the seed by placing in a wet paper towel. (I put it all in a baggie as well. ) Keep it warm if you can, but not hot.
2) When a root has begun to sprout (12 hrs.-7 days) plant that sucker in a small pot, even a NON-clear plastic solo cup will be preferrable and water it immeditaely until you see water runoff.
3) Depending on the heat, light, pretty much the whole envionment, water every 2-3 days. A popular regime is to water day 1, check on day 2,3, water on day four. Again, depends on the environment.


There a TONS of different ways of going about this process, and I'm sure people will chime in. Keep in mind, there are a wealth of books and guides out there to help you out, knowledge is power lol. As for your next grow, after the seedling stage you'll begin the vegetative process, etc. and it goes on and on. As for the disappearing act, it was probably undeveloped somewhere in the soil with little to no rootlings. It's fucked now so don't worry about it. Just be more careful next time :jointsmile:.