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.

Those were my much-anticipated reward for surviving a low of 19 degrees below zero and being buried under 8 ft. of snow last winter. February... my neighbor very delicately broke the 5 ft. icicles off the gutters. May Here's how much snow was on my front lawn (and my roof): I practically fell to my knees and wept at sight of the first crocus...

If the seeds were cold stratified they will come up. If not, they'll lie dormant until after next winter.

deanna, I would imagine your Russell Lupin seed has been selected from the best of the best over the years, better growth habit and better flower form etc. The seed I have came from plants found still growing at the original sight where Mr. Russell did his hybridizing, I think in the 30's. I love growing things that have a history or story to go with them. Annette