Did you cover up the seeds with your seed-starting mix? If so, that's likely what is wrong. Desert willow seeds need light to germinate. When I am sowing seed of anything that needs light to germinate, I water the soil-less seed-starting mix well and then gently pat it down firmly with my fingers. Then, I generally sow the seeds on the surface of the mix. With larger seeds (anything bigger than the head of a pin), I then gently press the seeds down so they are about half buried in the soil, but with the other half well-exposed to light. This usually works fine. With tiny seeds, I don't really press them down into the soil because it is too easy to press them in too deeply and cover them up. After that, it is a matter of keeping the growing medium moist but not sopping wet. Good luck. Desert Willow is one of my favorite trees. I have two---one really old one and another that is much younger. I wish I'd planted more of them. They are so tough and tolerate our erratic weather so very well.

Thanks. I did cover them, just barely but it probably did keep them from being exposed to light. If they have been planted for 2 weeks, have they rotted by now?

I planted three right after we rebuilt. I love them. Of course they are three different sizes even though I planted them at the same time, but they all look good and flower all summer. I plan on planting a couple more next year. Mine were container purchased so cant help you with your seed question.

Maybe not. It depends on how moist the mixture was, Rick. I don't think they would have rotted that quickly, but they could have. Where they grow naturally, they often are found in dry, sandy soil that drains well, so it might be that the seeds don't tolerate a lot of soil moisture. I'd dig around gently with my finger or tweezers or something and see if I could dig up the seeds and expose them to light. If you cannot find the seeds, then they might have rotted.

no matter what I do, they sprout and then wilt and die within a couple days. Ive tried all kinds of ways to plant.

I have no experience with them, though I think I bought seeds. The main expert here, Okiedawn, passed away last year. The other's haven't posted in a while. I'd have to guess that there's a problem with the soil, but you don't say what you're using. Good luck.

I planted mine from seeds right after harvesting them Germination was accomplished with a wet paper towel in a plastic container, after which i transplanted to pots. This was done in February, and now (July) one is over 5 feet tall.