Methods of finding/planting cold stratified seed from mix

I've run into this a few times over the past couple of years.

Last year I cold stratified Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja coccinea), and a few others, in sterile mix, some sprouted in the cold and I planted those out initially in container. They need a parasitic host plant to grow (I used June grass). The tiny sprouts died quickly. It could have been a host of issues... not in contact with the host root, too much water/heat.

None of the "stratified" seed germinated, either.

This year, I'm trying again. I intend to plant the host seed (Hairy Grama and June Grass) directly with the Indian Paintbrush seed (a recommended method). I'm going to try some in ground and some in-container. (If anyone has any advice on either method, I'd greatly appreciate it.)

My question is how do I find/distinguish these seed (they are tiny) or how would recommend planting out the seeds?

This message was edited Apr 10, 2009 2:03 PM

This message was edited Apr 12, 2009 9:34 AM

Maybe a picture will help.

And here are the sowing recommendations from Prairie Moon, where I got the seed.
"For container growing: Excellent hosts (for many parasitic species) include low-growing grasses and sedges like Hairy Grama, Blue Grama, Buffalo Grass, Pennsylvania Sedge, Sweet Grass, and June Grass. With a knife make a 2" deep cut at the base of the host plant. Sow seed in the cut, making sure seed is not more than 1/8" deep. If host is transplanted at sowing time, the cut is not needed because damaged roots will be available for attachment by the parasite. You may also try sowing parasitic and host species seeds together at the same time."

Has anyone worked with Indian Paintbrush seed? When are they ripe?

This message was edited Apr 12, 2009 10:12 AM