Fortunately, the plant I'm saving seeds from is still producing, so I'm going to try AGAIN!!
And the plant is a determinate dwarf, OP heirloom. . . so it'll breed true from these seeds (well, maybe not THESE abused seeds. . . getting no plant isn't breeding true, eh??)
THIS time differences: 2-3 tbs water instead of a swimming pool
; 1-2 days max; no stirring.
The seeds DID kinda stick to the paper plate, but were easily dislodged by a finger poke .
Since it isn't a hybrid issue, I guess I shouldn't have asked here. . . . please forgive me.