I have grown both and they are fine starting from seed indoors. Really the only way to get a jump on the season.

I hadn't heard they were sensitive to root disturbance so just transplanted as usual and they did fine.

I've grown the cleome for several years, but I always bought small plants. They really grow fast. I would buy them in mid May and they would start blooming by mid June. I didn't have any problem transplanting them in the garden. I had the 'Queen' series which get over 5ft tall. The garden I had them in, I only put 4 the first year and I had to stake them because they were so top heavy they leaned. After that, I bought peony cages (smaller than tomato ones) and they worked really well. They looked a little odd at first, but then they covered them up as they grew. I cut down to 3 plants too because they get nice and wide with lots of branching. Here's a pic of them back in '02 in early August. The pic doesn't due them justice, but I wanted you to see how fast they grow. In Sept. they were up to the top of my deck railing. They really do fill out well.

{{gwi:17799}}

Kat

I'm growing zinnia from seed for the first time this year. I'm stunned by how quickly they germinated, 2-3 days. Almost all have come up, so I have about 16 seedlings! I'm really happy and going to grow a lot more zinnia! I bought cherry profusion seeds today.

I haven't read that they dislike transplanting. If that's the case you could start them in peat pots or newspaper pots that can go right into the ground.

I bought cleome in pots last year and they did great. I always plant zinnia from seed right in the ground. They might take a little longer, but by late summer they're crazy! As far as I can tell, just about anything can be successfully transplanted as long as you get as much root as possible and don't let it dry out.