OCMG, Here is how I use mine. I pour enough steaming hot water over them until they expand completely. I let them stand until they are somewhat cool, then pour off any excess water that didn't absorb. Put seeds in to correct depth. Put them in a sealed clear container (anything really - plastic baggy, cut down milk jug, bakery container etc.) and pop them into a window. I leave them alone as long as the seedlings have enough headroom in the container. That's it. If you didn't wet them enough, that might ruin it. Or if you didn't put them in their little closed "green house" they might dry out. But otherwise, there's nothing to them. hope that helps!