You can direct sow them. The ground needs to be very warm (75 degrees), and you just press the seed into the ground. They need light to germinate. I had great luck with them last year. I tried sowing them in pots early this year and have only had one to come up. (Our nights are still cool and the pots are outside.)

Thanks for the tip. I really have to wait mid May then. I did some germination test inside the house. I am not sure what seed germinated. I should have separated the seeds into different pots.

I was wrong. Tithonia and the other unknown seed germinated. :)

Are tithonias water hungry? I am not sure if the seedling will survive the heat without one day of watering. I'll do my best to water them every night.

Please let me know.

Thanks!

The one I have in a cell pack doesn't appear to be any thirstier than any other. I try to water everyday, but the cooler spring temps will give you some wiggle room.

I had a tithonia for the first time last year that I'd started from seed (indoors) and WOW! The thing was a monster. Grew at least 6 ft tall and 4 feet wide. I was watering it for an hour a day by mid-July.

This year, I killed the only one I started indoors, so I just direct seeded yesterday. Wish me luck!

I transplanted 2 to the ground today along with meadow sage. I started them indoors last week. It only took like 2 days to germinate. That was really quick.

I still have 3 seedlings of tithonia left. Looks like I don't have enough room since I still would like to introduce the following to my garden

- zinnias
- salvia yvonne
- salvia black and blue