how to germinate Cleome?

This is another conundrum...Cleome seeds have been sitting on wet towels forever. They don't sprout or go moldy. I've had them in cool area and in warm area but they just won't budge. These are fresh T&M seeds purchased for 2009 growing. Any suggestions?

Albertarosey

I have success this year.This a first for me after failing 2 years in a row.3rd times a charm?Here is what I did.Sowed the seeds in peat pots with soil less mix(seed starting mix).Made sure the mix was moist.Then put each peat pot in its own sealed ziplock bag.Placed all of them in the fridge for 2 weeks.Took them out and put under lights.It still took almost 4 weeks for germination under the lights.I also have some seeds in jugs outside that I am trying to winter sow.Nothing there yet,but who knows,its still 40 degrees here.Edge

Edgeoftheworld
Thanks for your info. The pkg. that I have doesn't mention a cold treatment. Maybe that's the trick. I'll give it a try.
Arosey

I think it's the cottage gardening forum where this has also been discussed... Cleome seems to be tricky to establish. Several people have reported finally having success by direct sowing a whole packet of seed in a spot out in their garden... even if you only get a few plants the first year, once cleome is established, it seems to reseed just fine.

I direct sowed them last spring and they did awesome.
Christine

These are very easy - scatter any time in my zone and even seeds dropped from last year will come up everywhere. They are almost invasive but I love them. Just rough up the dirt some with a rake and scatter seeds and gently pull the dirt back over them - easy! If you need purple or white seeds let me know.

Shihtzumom My dad always said "if there was a hard way to do something I'd find it" seems I'm doing it again I'll take a leisurly walk outside and throw some seeds as I pass the flower bed. That sounds easier, huh?

Arosey

I had 1000000s of babies one early Spring. At a yard sale I put dirt and 10-15 starts about 1 inch tall in paper cups and sold them for 50 cents each. They are everywhere - I promise.

I just tried wintersowing some this year, after seeing huge beautiful swathes of them in Pella, Iowa last year, and they popped right up as soon as it started to get warm. I'm really looking forward to seeing them in bloom!

I'm having trouble germinating them indoors, as well, and haven't been able to till yet. I guess I'll just wait and broadcast the seeds later.