For germination....just press seed into the surface of the soil; light aids germination. Cover tray or whatever you are using to germinate with clear plastic until seed leaves appear and vent or remove the plastic altogether.
If you do start outdoors don't do so until after last frost date...Tithonia seedlings are VERY sensitive to frost.

Vera

I have some tithonias coming up right now and they are happy as anything. I started them indoors and now they are outside in one of those mini-greenhouses (shelving with the clear platic zippered cover.) It is not that warm out but if it is going below freezing at night I put on a blankie and set some hot rocks on the bottom shelf. It seems to be just enough to keep the cold from snuffing them.

I grew these from seed this year all did well. I have one blooming in the garden

I've been having a tough time with them this year (my first year growing them.) They germinate, get to be about two inches tall and die. It's not damping off, but I have been having trouble with aphids. The second time I planted them I was watching out for the aphids. Still no luck.

It is my second year growing them. They seem to be more difficult to start than other seeds. I had poor survival rates with them, but the ones that grew were impressive plants. I start in jiffy pellets and/or seed starting mix in solo cups. Not much difference in germination rates for me.

Also, some type of disease got some of them. Turned brown and died once about three feet tall. I like them and have about three out in the garden right now. Last years grew very green and bushy with intense orange/red flowers.

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Good luck.

Vance

wow vance, after seeing yours I sure hope mine make it. lovely glowing orange.

I started mine indoors as well. The ones in peat pots died. The ones in the peat pellets (first time I ever tried them) seem to be doing well. Goldfinger was much more difficult than Torch. I had about 90% germination but expect to have many die off as they get bigger. This is my first year to try them as well.
Just for fun, I am going to throw a few seeds outdoors this weekend to see what happens (if anything)Good luck!
I'm certainly going to need it!

Plant them outside in the ground only after the ground has warmed.
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I find a plastic cup (styrofoam coffee cup, or a yogurt cup, with slits at the bottom in four places) filled with potting soil preferable to peat pellets for starting inside. The netting that holds a peat pellet is a problem for roots.

Barely cover the seeds, water well, then wait and watch.
Nell