They have two longer-than-wide leaves with a rounded tip when they germinate. I have moved mine out into the sunshine (gradually) and am keeping them well watered until they put on a bit of size. They need heat and plenty of light. Give them some liquid fertilizer every week at half strength. That, and the warmer temperatures that we are having, will get them going.

just search for cleome + .jpg and you'll get tons. I think there's also a place here to look at pics--I'm too new to be sure.

Good luck! I know there are links to garden galleries that are specific, but don't have them at this time.

Paula

Meant to add, just search "cleome seedling" and I'm sure you'll find some.

Hi,
I also tried growing cleome. I sowed them in seed pellets and normal soil. Not even one sprouted.
Any idea what i did wrong?

Here's a photo of cleome cotyledons. It is the 3rd photo from the top.

Here is a link that might be useful: Cleome

chom,
Cleome seeds need cold moist stratification. If you still have the pots of sown seeds, put them in ziplock bags and refrigerate them for two weeks. Then take them outside into the sun and heat. Keep them moist and they should come right up.

I was given a small start of Cleome three years ago. Every year since, they have reseeded themselves and come up better than ever. The seedlings transplant well too as I have started them elsewhere. I have also collected "thousands" of seed from them and have given them away. I love Cleome but not their scent. Be careful to not put them close to an outdoor sitting area, patio or window that you may have open.

I had tried them unsuccessfully, too, a couple of years, and then, last year, "bam"--they came up like wildfire and self sowed all over the place. Hadn't heard about keeping them cool first....

Mike

I direct sowed last year and not one germinated. This year I have started inside and have lots of tiny plants. Will plant out in a few weeks.

I've tried cleome by chilling them first with very poor results. Sometimes I wonder whether the seed is good. This year I used a heat pad and kept them within 1-2" of the light in my light stand. I got lots of very healthy plants. I grew them on by giving them only 10 hours of light a day and they were much stronger than ones I've tried to grow in the past. My seeds were gathered, some last summer and some 5 years ago. The old ones did as well as the fresh ones.

Many of the seeds germinated in 4 days but some took a couple weeks, but now they're all about 4-5" and ready to set out.

Thank you all for your replies. I do finally have cleome. The seedlings have started coming up and from the pics I finally found and those that were shown to me, they are cleome. Thank goodness. Now, Please tell me anything you would advise. I want these so bad and want to ensure I care for them right.

I'd love to see some pics of your seedlings just to compare with mine. What are you all doing with yours? How are you caring for them now and what is your plan for future care? I know they say full sun, but any advice as to partial shade etc...

I'm new to all of this and just want to do everything just right. Mine are in pots now, and not sure when I need to transplant them. I'm so nervous.

I had 99% luck with cleome seeds. Here is what I did last year. I direct sowed April 21.

I slightly loosen the top 1/4-1/2 inch top of the soil. I put each seed about 6 inches apart. I press the seeds against the moist soil so there is a good seed to soil contact. You might want to mist it first. I slightly cover them back with soil. Showered them lightly the first day. Then I left them. I let nature do its thing. I direct sowed them along with calendula. Calendula germinated quickly like 7 days. Cleome took 1 month before it germinated. I think it needs 65-70f soil temperature for it to germinate.

The seeds were just in my cabinet.

Will cleome grow in a place where temperatures range from 68F to 100F?
How should i sow the seeds and what care should i take?

love to grow, and chom. See other current cleome thread. I think your questions will be answered there.