How do you sprout annual phlox?

Please share your tips on growing this :) I've tried it a couple times and maybe got 2 or 3 seedlings....
Is it true it needs total darkness? Can I wintersow it? Whats worked for you?
The 2 plants I had were beautiful and tough as nails and it would be nice to have it again this year. Please share your thoughts with us :D

Sow 1/4" deep and a cool temp germinator. 65ºF or 18ºC

I started it two years in a row, just like any other seed, and have had no problems. If I remember correctly, it came up rather quickly. It surprised me.

The previous advice would be mine also,but it might be a good winter sow also.
I usually seed it early while it is still cool weather.

Thank you all for your replies! Maybe I'll try a few inside in the basement where its pretty cool and try winter sowing them again too. I found they tolerated sun and heat amazingly well and flowered nonstop.

Has anyone found it necessary to give the seeds total darkness by covering over the trays?

No, do not cover your trays. By sowing them 1/4" deep, that is the darkness the seeds need. I seed them as stated & put the tray under lights or near a sunny window. I have WS them as well, but you will get flowers sooner if you start them indoors.

Thank-you Joanna! I'll start them by the window.

Are you seeding these already? I usually start them mid to late March (6-8 weeks before last frost). I wintersow them in March as well. I'm not sure when your last typical frost is, but if you plan to plant them out for May 1st, then start them at the beginning of March.

No, not yet. I'll take your advice and start them at the beginning of March. Which varieties have you started? Im going to be doing 'Starry Eyes' and 'Art Shades' form William Dam.

Yes, Art Shades are great . William Dam has great prices. I also tried a short phlox from them as well, Beauty Mix. Both are great

It turns out Beauty Mix is one of the types I have but I can't find the other one. Hmm...maybe it will turn up still. Do you have any pics?

This company has a number of varieties of annual phlox. They are out of Brandon Manitoba. I've ordered from them before and they offer some hard to find things. Prices good and free shipping with $40+ order.

http://www.lindenbergseeds.ca/

oops, forgot a picture of a star mix.

I didn't realize they had a website....I just got their catalogue a couple weeks ago. I must have missed the phlox. They have a beautiful rose that distracted me called 'Osiria' http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/175474/ that I'm hoping to order.

I really like the star mix that you posted! I just ran upstairs to get the Lindenberg catalogue to check out their phlox and the 'Art Shades' is 85 cents! Can't beat that!

Oh oh........happen to have a fetish for roses.

They have another one too that looks really good...it has a german name....its on my want list, I'll go find the link......... http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/100649/
It says in the PF only hardy to zone 7 but Lindenberg says it should be hardy on the prairies.