WHY do people insist on the paper towel crap or dunking them for 24 in water? Good God no wonder so many have failures. Experienced growers can and do use these methods - unnecessarily. I seed diretly into Root Shooters for soil grows, pH adjusted rockwool cubes for hydro. Both into a domed seedling tray with a cheap reptile heat mat from Pet Smart uner it. 100% germination - 100%. Now a couple in the last year germed with not being able to make it like any plant. But most were above the top showing itsy bitsy cute widdo leaves in less than 4 days, most in 3. No nutes, light is unimportant until the are above ground but needed once out and keeping the medium used moist and NOT WET or dry as a bone and they go! Roots in both mediums within a week are showing. I have even sprouted 2 directly in a DWC with the solution (straight pH adjusted water) just below the surface of the rocks. Both rooted and literally took off.
In short if seeds don't germinate it's because of the person handling it last.