i dont like jiffy pellets, but then again there are probably good brands and bad brands. some just seems way too tough for the root to pass through with ease. i always put them in water for half a day or till half of them sink and then put in moist paper towels in a light proof box. if u can get them in temps of bout 15-20oC they will do even better. i wrapped my box in a cotton fabric and put on the radiator - wihtin about an hour 3 had popped, and 4 hours later they had all popped. a nice warm and humid and dark environment does wonders ! my friend does this method, then puts into rockwool cubes, but i just put the popped beans into soil and start a 125w cfl so that the 'sun' is ready for whenever they wanna get out of bed