So, I tried to germinate my seeds right in the soil, and a week later, nothing has happened. Was this a bad choice? How long should I wait before giving up?
Germination in the soil is very possible. It is the only way the plant can grow wild in a natural habitat. The only issue is, not all seeds will germinate. I always use the paper towel method with a rubbermaid containter. The size of the container I used is a circular one about 4in in diameter on the bottom, maybe 5in. I like to take two paper towels, and cut circles the size of the containers bottom. That way there is no wrinkles, and the papers towels will lay evenly accross the seeds. Once you have the first paper towel down (dry), place the seed or seeds in the center and work your way out, leaving at least 1/4in between them. I would say to be safe, 3/8in in between them. Lay the top piece of the paper towel (dry) down over the seeds, making sure the paper towels are not wrinkled. THEN I take water, and just give it enough water to make both paper towels completely moist, but no standing water. Close the container and go hide them in a warm dark place. I have a server in my closet, keeping it at a constant 86f. About every 6 hours take the top off the container for about 10 minutes and put it back on and replace it where it was. 24-36 hours should do the trick. Just look for little white tales coming out of the seeds. I like doing this because you know for a fact the seed you planted germinated.
I've done the paper towl and the dirt germination method and both work fine for me. I've had 6 out of 6 seedlings sprout.. well one of them actually ended up somehow detached from its roots and died which I didn't notice until 2 weeks later when I deemed it worthless! I put the seed under the dirt just enough to cover the seed up and after 3 or 4 days I saw the seedling begin to push its way out, with the husk still on of course.