I'm definitely doing better with chitting than in pots.
I started with two packets of Parthenon F1. One was last year's , the other the year before's although still just before the sow by date.
I sowed the more recent ones in pots of seed compost in a heated tray & they are still a no show after 3 weeks.
When I realized they weren't going according to plan I first looked for fresh seed on-line (I'm fussy -I like Parthenon for inside). They were sold out pretty much everywhere so as a last resort I put all the remaining oldest seed in kitchen roll on a heat mat. Two have roots after about 5 days.