Nope.. Water,paper towel, heat, moisture, darkness. Never used or felt the need to use heat tray.. I use paper towel method and I've had a 100% success rate thus far.. Good luck!
probably not but you do need a STABLE ENVIROMENT, consistent heat and humidity, very little fluxuations for the first few weeks greatly improves your success percentages.
No...seeds in a moist napkin on a saucer plate on top of a cable box or refrigerator is fine. Re moisten every 24 hrs until they crack. Key word = MOIST, not drippy WET
I use this old fashioned technology for germination, it's called dirt.... It rarely fails, needs little attention, and it just seems...... natural......