you can germinate in the soil as well. make sure you have high humidity. But better off, just use a small plastic cup, put some soil in it and the seed. Moist well and cover with cling film to get the greenhouse effect and leave it in darkness. Once it spouts, uncover, an put under the sun or light. Leave in the small container for 2 weeks, then transplant in larger one. Make sure you water well and only when needed!