Very interesting Sunni. I am getting into growing vegetables (having grown tomatoes, peppers, eggplants in the past), so your feedback is appreciated. If I need to start anything inside, I'll probably try this method first. For some reason, I did not have any germination from eggplant seeds even after more than two weeks. I did one set of seeds with paper towel and the roots did stick. Have not had that issue with coffee-filters, especially moist ones. Californian, I have noticed when I could not get to transplanting the sprout in time, the seed-leaves separated from the seed heads within the filter. I also tend to bury the sprouts almost completely with just the seeds head showing, when I transplant them and the seed heads separate nicely. I just leave the seed coat alone. So you should plant as soon as the seed has sprouted. If you go to the post linked with the first post, in the 3 or 4 the response, the poster shows images of the process. The last image would give you a good idea of when you can transplant.

I sowed the annual kind but will do perennials next year, guess I could start them now. It said to soak in warm water (I didn't make mine too warm) for 2 hours. I'm going to plant mine right in the ground. If I don't have a soaker hose like where I planted the annuals, I'm going to do either one of two things. Screw in a pepsi bottle w/bottom cut out over it w/cap off. Moisture will show in the bottle. Water right over and around the bottle when the soil looks like it is drying out or you see no moisture in the bottle. Or I have some irrigation spikes I could put where the seeds are, they screw onto 2-liter bottles, I cut the bottoms out w/hot knife so I can fill with hose. Obviously if you are planting a lot, my ideas will be more work. But starting them inside, you have to harden them off, and starting outside you don't have to. You could try a couple both ways. The annual seeds I planted, older like yours, not kept in fridge, were big enough to space right. Mine didn't get very good germination but took about 2 weeks; if I get just a few plants for now, that will be fine. I planted mine where there is a soaker hose which worked well; rain did the rest.

Other than cooking them and killing the embryo, it could also be the time of year which would result in taking longer if you're using natural light as well as heat. I've always filed each seed until I see the white. Then put them into hot, hot water. I then change the water every day, using warm water until I see them starting to sprout. I've never used any type of heating device, whether during the cold months or warm months and always put them in my kitchen window in a clear container. The winter seeds always have taken longer to sprout. If your baseboard really hasn't been all that hot and has just given out gentle warmth, it's possible that the seeds are just taking their time. Also, some seeds will take longer to sprout than others. Jenna

TreeDazzled, I tried sugar pine seeds from Schumacker last spring. I only purchased a trial packet so I only had a handfull of seeds to work with. I placed them in moist milled sphagnum moss in my fridge crisper drawer for the designated amount of time recommended by their website. Also, I cleaned the seeds off from the ridiculous amount of mould once a week or so. No removal of seedcoat, scarification, or any special treatment. I believe out of about a dozen or so seeds only about two didn't grow. By this past fall I had about 10, 8" sugar pine babies! Sadly, the rabbits ate them all during the winter months. I was quite upset to say the least. Good luck with Schumacker, I've ordered from them a few times before with excellent results in all instances.