Just as a point of interest and not saying this is the way to do it, but how I do it. I start my seeds (Auto or pheno) using the paper towel method. Usually it takes about 3 days but sometimes as fast as 2 days, to get a sprout and 4-5 for it to be long enough to place in the soil. You said that you planted it knuckle deep and imo that is too deep. Even doing it this way I plant with the head of the seed on the surface and the sprout buried.