Hi owllady!

For annual phlox: germ - 10-21 days, needs dark to germ, peaty compost, 1/16" deep, sow direct into pots as it resents being moved.

For the stocks: germ - 10-14 days, needs light to germ, well drained compost, surface sow, best to direct sow.

They should both do well in containers, and probably shouldn't be transplanted. If you want to start them indoors, you could do it in the pot you plan to grow them in all summer. I do that with marigolds and other deck plants.

I'm not sure what the sun requirements are, but I think they probably need at least partial sun.

Hope this helps--