Seeds can’t see light underground. I put my seeds 1/2 inch in clear plastic Starbucks cups (viewing window for roots) with drain holes, filled halfway with damp coco coir. I place inside red solo cups (blocks light) with a bottle cap in between (don’t drown your roots). I place them in a double stacked shoe box on a heating mat with the bottom of 2 liter bottle cut off and placed over the cups for humidity. 3-4 days later, walla, life begins. Good luck
It doesn’t matter what you use. I’ve tried everything under the sun inc rock wool, rapid rooters, etc The all work. The point is not to make more work than you need to. Even germinating in a paper towel is a pain. Keep it simple. Seeds need to be underground in a warm moist environment. That’s it. Once they emerge, then they need light to live. That’s why I keep them inside a clear cup inside a red solo cup so I only have to handle the plant once and can I visually inspect the roots well before I transplant in about 2-2 1/2 weeks.