there are so many ways to germinate seeds, some work better than others, here are a few ways that i have tried that do work, right now i am using root riot cubes, i put the seed directly in the cube, the seeds pop in 5-7 days this way, sometimes quicker. i use a 2 liter bottle that has been cut in half to make a humidity dome, once i see the seedling up i put the cube right in to the grow medium.
i have also used the paper towel method and most seeds pop with in 7 days, once i see the tap root out, i put in to the grow medium and wait.
last i have used the soaking method, i soak over night then plant right in to medium.
all of these work great, i prefer putting the seed into root riot cubes as they almost all pop with in 5 days and is so much easier to start a garden.
there is nothing wrong with autos, i have been growing for 20 plus years and autos are a great way to get a good harvest. i run both autos and photoperiod.
i hope the gemination works out for you, happy growing