I know this journal is complete but I told Ranger I would post a method of germinating that has me at nearly 100%.
First take a paper towel and fold it as so:
Spray with 6.5 PH adjusted water (I use tap) just wet enough to moisten not soak and put your seeds in the center:
Fold it over and place it into a zip-lock bag without locking it:
Fold the Zip-lock bag and place it in a tin:
Leave the tin in a cabinet for appx 72hrs without checking:
As long as the seeds are mature and good you'll have tap roots. I'll be back to demonstrate the next step when these tap root.
STEP 2
I've been busy with the real world so these are back dated pics taken on the 23rd which was actually 4 days after placing them in the paper towel, one day too long.
Once you have your tap roots take Rockwool cubes and let them soak in 6.5 PH adjusted water for at least an hour then squeeze all the excess water out of them. Place the tap roots inside the rockwool cube holes swallow enough to barely cover.
On one of these I accidentally broke off part of the root so one might not sprout.
But anyway, Keep the cubes moist by spraying twice a day but not as wet as to have them sitting in water.
Place them under 18/6 lighting (I use CFLs) until they sprout and roots protrude through the bottom of the cubes.
Once these are ready I'll give you the 3rd & final step.
STEP 3:
OK Ranger; to give you an idea how full-proof this method is, even the taproot that was out of the shell already and I snapped part of it off by accident sprouted. It took it's time but it did.
The only way you won't get a seedling using this method is if the beans are duds.
This is how the roots come through the bottom. I wait until there's at least 4 or 5 showing and then plant the rockwool cube in my medium.
Note:
This was a combination of Denisse, SkunnyMonster, & Crawdaddy's techniques that I put together to come up with this method so I won't take credit for it.