well if your just using bagseeds you can definately use just place em in and try that way. Just recently I took some seeds and planted them right into the medium and it's been a week none sprouted. I think I kept them too moist or something. Anyways, anytime I use the paper towel method i never have any problems with viable seeds. Just put em in moist paper towels in a plastic bag or inbetween two plates in a warm place and within a few days you usually have roots, many of mine have came in less than 12 hours. Than put in the moist soil and under some cfl lighting and just spray some water on them to keep em moist for about 2 or 3 days and your done.