It kinda does sound like your trying to hard lol if thats possible.Umm try rockwool cubes thats how i sprout my seeds.But if you use rockwool cubes remember you have to soak the cubes before you put the seeds in them becuase cuase of their high acidty they have.And make sure the water you soak the cubes in is ph correct.Or keep doing it your way but when it starts to root put it in soil and water maybe that might help.good luck