Keep seeds in film cassette cases. Film cassette cases are fantastic for storing seeds. Mimulus like other water loving plants like growing in wick fed arrangememnts. This is done using a bucket with a false floor and wick for continuous watering. A vacuum valve at the side is good as an external source of water.
Flat ground looks boring- try a slope with grooves to stop water run off.
Water only the grooves. Orchid fertilizer- check the side for what's in it. Stocks are easily grown with hydroponic methods. Here is a stock grown in a bucket with only scoria as the growing media. A flood and drain system was used here.