I sowed two separate containers of Tithonia rotundifolia (one was labeled Torch, the other was just species name--both from trades) since April. Neither seems to want to sprout, and I reeeally want tithonias this year. They're not sold in stores around here. Does anyone have an extra plant or two to trade? I'd love either the rotundifolia (orange) or the yellow.

I have a few extra Texas red salvia plants and a 5- to 6-inch tall cassia (senna) alata seedling. Or I'll send postage.

They are hard to germinate. Started mine back in Feb and onlyn2 out of 6 germinated. Sorry no restrain plants it's my first year growing and I'm going to sow way more nezt year now that I know the germination is bad. Sorry no extras.

I asked a few plant/seed friends but none of them has any Tithonia seeds at this time. Check this out:

http://www.swallowtailgardense...

Tithonia seeds benefit from light during germination. Cover them only lightly with vermiculite or similar. I've had good results germinating old seeds by giving them a brief dilute H2O2 treatment, after which they germinated overnight.
It's not too late to start from seeds. I've had them re-seed in mid summer.
Tomorrow when I have more time I will see if I have any seeds left if you are still looking.
Alana

I've had more success with these seeds if they were coated...at least when I was "trying" to grow them from seed. I think I bought some a while back from Lowes on their seed rack. That being said they usually reseed here, and I get a few volunteers each year. Oddly this year we didn't.

I like how the website says easy to grow. The two plants that I got to germinate are carefree but getting them to germinate is another story. I will gather seeds this summer and try the h202 method, how long of a soak do you give?

Hmm, I heard the light treatment, but never the H202. They just never seemed like "that kind of seed" to me; look like a cross between zinnias and marigolds, easy-grow type seeds. I will try that--I do have a few seeds left, but I'd given up and was actually looking for plants. Thanks for the tip, Alana.

I know. I would not have thunk it if I had not tried it. Sometimes you gotta think outside the seed coat.

@poisondartfrog
How long do you soak the seeds and about what concentration water/peroxide?

Sorry. I could not remember, so I had to look it up. It is documented here.
http://cubits.org/ellasgarden/...

Thanks for the link! That's amazing success. Soon as I read it I went and got my seeds soaking.

You know...Taqiyyah, you really should consider joining greene and scbuttercup, myself and others in the Hog Wild Swap at Ella's Garden this fall. I think you would enjoy it.

I have a few seeds. Mine are a couple of years old but I planted some and had great germination. I did just put them on the top of the soil because I had read to do that. They take a little longer to germinate than some similar looking seeds. I was surprised when I saw them sprouting as I had about given up on them.

Thanks, Carol. I do have some seeds--I went ahead and tried soaking in H202 for a few hours Sunday, then planted, and hope to see some results today.

And sorry I missed responding to your invite, Alana. I'd been over at Ella's cubit reading all her incredibly funny garden stories, and the seedaholic thread. I think I will join, thank you for thinking of me!

Yay another one!

More people for the Piggy Swap!

Lovesblooms, I actually do have plants, quite a few. They are kinda odd looking, but I figure that's due to whatever I did to grow them. I would be happy to send you some, I don't really have room for all. And I believe they will look better once into real sunshine.
Turtle