i am going to try it! thanks for the story!

After planting a few seeds and getting no plants, I read your post and thought I would try it, however I didn't soak them overnight. All I did was put them in a wet paper towel in a plastic bag and left them on the counter. The next day, presto! they sprouted. I stuck them in the ground and am now waiting to see what happens. Thanks!

It definitely works like no other method. They will come up in a week or less.

YAy this worked perfectly for me!
Now i cant wate for the flowers!!!!

im trying this toooooooooo!

I just put them in the towel and plastic bag. I will check back tomorrow night, let you guys know what happens

I harvested my seeds from last year. In early May put them in a dish wrapped with dampness. Some went kaput. The others stayed the same. Nothing sprouted. I finally put them in dirt about 10 days ago. Nothing! BooHoo. I'll wait but, BooHoo. OK, what about last years plants? They are still in large pots cut back. Will they grow again? I don't see anything to tell me they are alive. (I like the emory board idea) Thanks.

newbie here, this tip worked great for me! i didn't soak them, i just put them in wet paper towel, in ziplock bag, left them in my car for a few days, it was 90 degrees out, car was hot, and i thought i cooked them, but when i looked, everyone had sprouted!! they are about 4 inches tall now doing good, i think i am getting to late a start, but i just recently found this board! and i just discovered moon flower vines.. so we'll see

Hey sweetrage, that's my way to garden! It is nice to find virtue in forgetfullness! I am looking for a generous gardener to send me some seeds for planting next summer, since my lazy way of just breaking the pod and dropping them into the ground was apparently not effective. I am sure mid July is too late for Zone 5. If anyone thinks I am wrong - please correct me.

Did I just get a lucky batch of seeds??

I soaked them overnight and then planted them. They ALL germinated no problem. They're all crusing along very nicely now - hoping to see flowers this year!

I nick my seeds, put them in paper towels in plastic bags, but I hang them on the side (or top) of the fridge with a magnetic clip. The warmth from the fridge helps.

Can i try to germinate my moon flower seeds now, then do I keep them in pots for the winter inside or can I put them in ground before it gets too cold? Any help with this will be greatly appreciated. I tried to just plant seeds in ground earlier in summer, around my pond, but nothing ever took, so now I guess it's time for a new experiment.

Just for the heck of it, I planted six seeds from this years Moonflowers, about eleven days ago. They are about an inch tall now. I doubt there is enough time for flowers, but I can watch them grow. Next year I will plant mine farther from the house. I didn't realize, since this was my first year, they would get so big!

Many Datura species can be difficult to grow from seed because some species take months to germinate and the seeds germinate at different times.

Some of the slower or more difficult species seeds can be treated with gibberellic acid to improve germination speed and success, some nurseries sell pretreated seeds. I usually sow more seeds than I want and then only keep the seedlings that emerge first. Others can be given away or removed when they first germinate.

Basically it just takes time so don't get discouraged.

All I ever wanted was a yard full of morning glories and moonflowers!! Finally, last summer, my morning glories went absolutely nuts. I am trying to stay on top of them this year so they won't completely encompass my front porch again. They were so prolific last year I couldn't even get a breeze going through my porch. But alas, I have had absolutely no luck with the moonflower!! I have done everything everyone has suggested and my seeds refuse to germinate!!! What is my problem?