Carol, I think I have the rose scented geranium. Which lupine cultivars do you have? Let me know if you're still interested in trading.

whoops Der... sorry 'bout that... I am in MA zone 6b.But kinda a micro 7a...Live in an area that is watershed..lots of weather influence from a very large river and the bottom of a valley terrain.

I would also plant the seeds in those six packs you get with annuals. They tend to rot out really easy if sown too close together. Also keep a good amount of air flow where you sow them. If in a green house use a small fan on the lowest setting. Do not over water them, that also will contribute to them rotting. They usually have the hardest time with rot when they first start to germinate. When they get their first leaves. After they get to be about 2-3 inches and they have their true leaves they seem to be ok. They do not like to be transplanted so try to keep them in the six packs as long as you can until they need to go outside. I hope all this helps. Oh, when you water them, if your using a sprayer, try to water the soil only. Wetting the plant itself also contributes to the rot.

I'm not sure what you mean by 'popped them' but I definitely wouldn't put a soaked seed directly out in freezing cold. To put them on hold, put them in the fridge which will keep them cold enough to prevent sprouting. When you have a day above freezing, put them outside.