does Mother Nature soak her seeds, and put them in a wet paper towel ? :wtf: ... amazing how dumb ideas spread ('wet paper-towels' originated as a quick, easy seed-viability test, not as a germination method) ... afterwards, the seeds were usually discarded, since the wet environment was a breeding ground for Pythium Wilt ...
to demonstrate to my friend, awhile back, I threw 3 or 4 seeds from his porch :greenthumb: ... no soaking, no preparation, hell, I didn't even stick them in the dirt, just tossed them on the ground, and forgot about them ... they all sprouted, and, are as you see them now, still no input from Man ... no paper towels, no fertilizer, no SuperThrive, no 24 hour lighting, no soft music :wtf: ... what happened ? ... it's called Nature, and it's pattern of propagation ... it doesn't need us, get it ? ... 90% of the problems I see in here, are caused by 'overloving' your plants ... overfed, overwatered, plus weirdass growing 'experiments', it's a wonder they survive at all ... keep it simple, it's a WEED !

this should help, read this:
Germination