Hello DaisyLover! Here's my method. I removed each seed completely from their seedcoats using a small wire cutter, but I suspect nail clippers would also work. I made holes about 1" deep in small pots filled with moistened germination mix. I placed each seed "standing up" in the holes, sprinkled them with more mix to cover them, tamped down the soil and spritzed the tops with water. I kept them under growlights and bottom-watered. This was Saturday afternoon. By Tuesday night they had erupted from the soil. I could hardly believe my eyes! Those were Mammoth Hybrids. The temperature in the room varies between 70-85 degrees. Last night, flush from my success (LOL), I decided to try it again, with another type, Chianti Hybrid. I repeated the process but the holes were not as deep because the seeds were much smaller. So now I wait. It might have been a fluke. I'll know in a few days, one way or the other. I'd like to hear from anyone else about other seeds that can be germinated after removing them from the seedcoat, but perhaps that question is better asked on the seed-starting forum. Anyway, DaisyLover, that's it. Let's hope it wasn't a fluke. If you try it let me know how it works for you.

I just got a trade marked Mammoth Russian sunflowers. Would you be interested in those? I'd like broccoli, peas or carrots, whatever you have plenty of. Let me know at mamahack@hotmail.com. Thanks very much.

Hi Mona, what a great project and zinnias are tops, strong and pretty, would love more of them, check my list and let me know what you prefer, think kids would want sunflowers, have plenty, some unusual in different colors. Happy gardening and trading, Bea

I grow those tithonia here in Virginia. The flowers are 4-inch dark orange bordering on red. The bushes can get from 5 to 8 feet in height and they are annuals. They are nicknamed Mexican sunflowers but they are not in the sunflower family at all. Drop me a private message with your address if you would like to have some of those. Happy gardening