Starting Cobea Scandens from Seed?

What's the best way to get these to germinate? Every time I've tried in the past they turn to mush. To have even a slight chance to see them bloom in my short growing season I'll have to start them indoors. Any help is appreciated!

Thanks!

Sandy

plant them on their side, the thin side. they're very easy if you do that.

Hope you start them now, Seedsower. I grew over 100 of them last year (they were quite the terror in the g-house! They really want to reach out and grab ya, literally!)
Not sure I'm gonna grow any this yr. Here's a pic to hold you over tho (taken at nite, in a light rain).

Soak the seeds overnight in water (they'll become very slimy ;)), sow next day.

They are easy to grow, but take a long time to get them blooming. We bought them as small plants last summer and they bloomed. They looked great. Flowers don't smell good however..

See http://plantsdatabase.com/go/621/

one more thing I remembered. as soon as they start growing, stake them. I lost about 10 trying to transplant and the main stem broke right at the soil line. They were so big and just couldn't take the stress of moving too much. I did have one that broke almost in two, but grew anyway, covered my mailbox.

They need heat and a fairly long season, I have had them here and they don't bloom till September at least. But they are worth it. I even wintered one over in the greenhouse one year. I think they are native to Mexico. My daughter just brought me some mystery seeds from Mexico that were some sort of vining thing. I can't wait to get them going. Look in my AHS book there are all kinds of neat vines from down there. She said they almost took the seeds from her in Customs.