A method for seeding and amplifying target nucleic acids derived from a sample in a cluster at a site on a surface of a substrate includes retaining at least a portion of the target nucleic acids in an inactive form that cannot seed to provide a relatively low concentration of active form target nucleic acids available for seeding. As the active form target nucleic acids seed on the surface of the substrate, they may be amplified. Because the concentration of active form target nucleic acids is low, the likelihood is low that a second active form target nucleic acid will seed at the same site within the same cluster before the first active form target nucleic acid is sufficiently amplified to dominate. Accordingly, the likelihood that the cluster will pass filters is increased relative to traditional seeding and amplification methods employing a higher concentration of active form target nucleic acids.