seeds have changed. they tend to have a thicker peel than the classic seeds. So its the best to trat them different to get them to germinate and sprout ot of the soil. i let my seeds soak too, then i go with the " papertowel method... letting them germinate where its dark and humid, next step for you ... automatics like it to go after germinating directly into their final pot, filled with fluffy prfertilised soil. If the tap root of an automatic plant hits the bottom she slows down and stop growing. So give them after they germinated their final pot. Automatics dont like transplanting too.........................and now back to your question..................if you dont see a sign of life after 7-10 days , maybe dig with alot of attention for your seeds.. sometimes they took the wrong way. If you go with the papertowel method you are planting seeds with aroot, and you have a vry high rate of germinated/ sprouted seeds. I give my planted seeds a " open dome" that means a plasticbottle with holes , to kep humidity high and help them. I water with aloewater