I say wrap the paper towel in tinfoil, have it straddle the rim of a glass serial bowl and leave it on top of your water heater or boiler. or anywhere up to 90F degree ambiant. NO Warmer.

Check seeds in 24 hours.

If you see seed is cracked and sprout is peekin out, might as well go right to the peat pots or dixie cups or whatever soil they'll go in. Using a clear plastic dome or Saran Wrap tent, You can use florescents real close to start the seeds.

As maximum sprout length... I try to catch em before they get longer than an inch, 'cause then you can't always drop em into the toothpick holes as easy.

You know the seed's sproutlet is the root and points downward of course. (Just what I know from a couple grows only.)