Hot Pepper Seed Germination

I have used Salt Peter to help in the germination process of hot pepper seeds in the past with great success, but I have no idea where to get it or if it is even practical any longer. Any ideas on germination help with rare hot peppers.

I'm partial to the pre-sprouting of seed in wet paper towel and plastic bags, it gives me a "warm fuzzy" knowing the seed has started to germinate. I have been doing this since 2003, with the use of Salt Peter, and it has worked wonders.

I have also used Kelp extract, could the kelp be the major helper, or is it the potassium nitrate (Salt peter)?

I've never had problems getting such seeds to germinate. I've had problems getting them to fruit up here in the north, but not germinate. How doyou store them?