I haven't grown 'Jester,' but have grown 'Purple Majesty.' I find it to have uneven and fairly low percentage germination, so I sow a lot of seeds, close together. In an 8" pot, I've used as many as 50 seeds. If I get high germination, I cut out uniform clumps of seedlings to pot on. 12 seedlings is not too many for a single clump.

You are in a very cold zone for these grasses. They require a good bit of very hot and sunny weather to do well.

yes we are in a cooler zone. i am starting them inside and then going to put them out in end of may or june. i have had very good luck with germination. i planted 12 seeds of each. 1 seed per 4" pot. now it is time to transplant and thinking i would put more than 1 plant per 6" pot. that is reason for question. i think i will put 6 or so in each pot. when i plant them outside i can always put 2 pots of 6 together. all info is greatly appreciated.....thanks