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Abelmoschus seeds didn't germinate - my fault?

A seed propagation question from the Mallow family --  I read in one of my
propagation books that Hibiscus seed likes to be nicked and then given a hot
water soak before sowing.  This I did for some H. 'Simply Love Superior'
seeds, which I then _surface_ sowed, and they all germinated.  

Then, in the same flat, I sowed some Abelmoschus 'Oriental Red' (another
member of the Mallow family) which I also nicked, soaked, yet _did not_
surface sow, instead covering to their thickness.  This was the seed packet's
instruction.  Only one germinated.  

Any idea what I've done wrong?  Should I have surface sowed the Abelmoschus
even though that's not what the packet said?  Actually, that's not what the
packet said for the Hibiscus either, as I've found the propagation book to be
right on most of the time and I usually refer to it for sowing advice.
 Unfortunately in this instance, the book did not have a specific listing for
Abelmoschus.

I've got several interesting varieties of seed from the Mallow family that
I'd like to try, acquired through seed exchanges.  I hope some of you out
there can lend some learned advice on them before I ruin my entire inventory!
 Thank you in advance for any suggestions.

C. Carter, Northern California/Zone 9
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