How often is periodically? They need to be kept moist. Also, I’d put more than one seed in each pot, not all seeds germinate.

I wouldn't keep the pots in the sun. Seeds can cook if they get too hot, especially if the mix is damp. Shade is good for germination

Thanks, maybe they dried out. I sprinkled a bunch of seeds into each pot. Some online sites say that Cleome seeds needs sunlight to germinate and other sites say you should cover it lightly with soil. Anyone know which is the correct way?

Cleome needs light to germinate (press seed onto top of soil and keep moist), and it also needs a cool period, like cold nights in spring with warm days. You can chill them in the fridge at night and put them outside in the day, if you want to start them in mid-summer.

They need light, as in, not covered over by soil. Other types of seeds need to be covered by soil.

Thanks. I don't have enough room in the refrigerator to store them at night. Can I keep them in my air conditioned living or some place else in my house? It's not very cold in my living room but it's cool.

For next year, start your cleome seeds in plastic cell paks in april and put them outside. You can transplant them into bigger pots when they reach a few inches. What you're trying to do now isn't feasable (gallon pots in mid-summer). Plant some quick germinating, easy summer seeds now, like zinnia. Or, do your experiment and see what happens. Why frustrate yourself?

"Anyone know which is the correct way?"

Stu, you didn't say and you might already do this but all seeds I germinate get a clear plastic film across the top of the pots/cells to keep them very moist until germination. I would think this would be particularly important to seeds that need sunlight.

Plastic is for indoor seed starting under lights. If you do it with sunlight, it will cook the seeds.

I can't imagine being able to keep seeds/soil moist, without anything keeping the moisture in. Unless you have a timed 'mist' system or watering of some sort.

I also would think one would have to limit the amount of sunlight exposure to a smattering of partial shade/sun, either morning or afternoon, this time of year. Nothing direct at least not for any length of time.

Bill...that's why these seeds are best sown in early spring when the soil stays cool and moist longer and the sun isn't that strong.

okay, most of my seeds are germinated inside the house, before the growing season but I know there are some you can plant later toward end of summer so they establish in time for winter.

Either way, I would imagine you have to get all the conditions right for that type of seed in order to have success. Thanks for the info! :-)

It’s also late in the season so even if you get a good germination rate, you may not have time to get any bloom before the summer season is pretty much over.

Well none of the seeds have bloomed. I guess the nights are too warm. Can I store the containers with the seeds in them in the garage for the winter?

You can try, but the seeds will probably be rotted by then. Buy a new pack of seeds this winter and start fresh next spring, early, so they get cold nights and warm days.